Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Telangana and Union minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy has got a pleasant surprise on Wednesday.
A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday took charge as the new President of Congress in Telangana and vowed to liberate the state from what he called the "misrule" of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his family members.
Taking the charge amid much fanfare and enthusiasm in the party, he called upon the leaders and workers to join hands to bring the party to power in 2023.
Addressing a public meeting, he alleged that four crore people of Telangana have "become hostage in the hands of four persons".
Hitting out at the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Chief Minister Rao, the MP alleged that there is no freedom and self-rule in the state under their rule.
Revanth Reddy said Congress President Sonia Gandhi gave him the responsibility to work to fulfill the aspirations of people of Telangana.
Admonishing some workers who raised slogans hailing him, he said there should be no slogans in support of any individual leader other than party chief Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. He said slogans in support of individuals will damage the party.
The event was marked by enthusiasm among party workers at Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.
Revanth Reddy, who reached the party office in a huge rally, took charge from outgoing chief Uttam Kumar Reddy in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary incharge of party affairs in Kerala Tariq Anwar, AICC incharge for Telangana Manickam Tagore and several other leaders of the party.
Amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, Uttam Kumar Reddy handed over the charge to Revanth Reddy who was appointed to the top post on June 26.
The newly-appointed TPCC Working Presidents including former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, and former minister J. Geetha Reddy and others were present.
The public meeting organised on the occasion became a show of unity by the party leaders. Barring MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who publicly criticised the appointment of Revanth Reddy, and few others, leaders came together and vowed to work as a team to bring Congress to power in 2023 elections.
Leaders, who were reported to be unhappy over Revant Reddy's appointment, also attended the celebration.
Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary, former TPCC chief Ponnala Laxmaiah, former Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, AICC Secretary Madhu Goud Yaskhi and others were present.
Earlier, Revanth Reddy offered prayers at a temple and a dargah before reaching the Congress HQ in a rally attended by large number of supporters. Party leaders say Gandhi Bhavan saw such celebration for the first time in seven years. The last time it witnessed a grand celebration was in 2014 when Telangana was carved out as a separate state with bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
Despite granting statehood to Telangana, the Congress suffered defeat in 2014 and 2018 elections at the hands of the TRS.
Some party leaders feel Revanth Reddy's appointment will help revive party's fortunes. However, the 53-year-old is also facing dissent from some senior leaders who were in the race for the post.
Revanth, known as a fire-brand leader and considered popular among youth, had resigned from the Telugu Desam Party to join the Congress.
Telangana Jana Samithi leader and former Osmania University professor M Kodandaram is likely to merge his party with the Telangana
Ever since he was appointed as the president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president, Malkajgiri MP A Revanth Reddy
The Telangana state looks prepared for head on collision with the Andhra Pradesh government in sharing of Krishna river water.
Telangana high court on Monday took up a petition filed by two Andhra farmers challenging the Telangana government’s order relating to usage of Krishna river water for power generation, but said it had no powers to look into inter-state water disputes.
Amid raging row over sharing of Krishna river water, the Telangana government has demanded that Krishna River Water Management Board
Revanth Reddy is known for "video gandam". His fate turned upside down ever since the video related to 'note for vote' was leaked.
Desperate to revive its fortunes in Telangana, the Congress party appears to have taken a risk by appointing firebrand leader Anumula Revanth Reddy as its new state party chief despite his controversial past and ignoring several strong contenders for the post.
Even as both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments have proposed to increase the percentage of property tax to mop up additional
Firebrand Telangana MP and newly-appointed president of Telangana Congress Committee president Anumula Revanth Reddy is most
Surprising as it might sound, the Telangana government headed by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has rewarded two prominent
Firebrand Congress MP from Malkajgiri and newly-appointed president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee A Revanth Reddy is getting ready to assume charge at Gandhi Bhavan on July 7.
It has already been decided that the new regional party to be launched by Y S Sharmila, daughter of former chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy is going to be called YSR Telangana Party.
Former Congress minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi legislator Danam Nagender on Friday asserted that there is no question of returning to the Congress party and he would continue to sail with the TRS till his last breath.