Ready to take on Jagan: Shankar Rao

Handlooms and Textiles Minister P Shankar Rao on Tuesday stated that he was ready to contest against former Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy in the by-elections to Kadapa parliamentary constituency if the High Command gives him permission.

Elections for the by-elections to the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and the Pulivendula Assembly constituency are scheduled to be held on May 8.

Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office, the Handlooms and Textiles Minister stated that he was ready to contest from either of the two constituencies in the by-elections if the High Command directs him to do so.

Dr Shankar Rao expressed confidence that the voters would give a fitting lesson to those who are ‘misusing’ former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s name and tarnishing the image of Congress party.

Condemning the view expressed by some that the by-election would be a test of strength and a fight between the group who is claiming to be the heirs of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s legacy and All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi, the Minister stated that YSR till his last breath worked for Congress party loyally and obediently.

Alleging that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy had influenced the voters with money during the recent Legislative Council elections, the Minister stated that the former MP has no belief in the democratic principles.