DS nomination not linked to Telangana: Botsa

Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Monday stated that there was no link between nominating former PCC chief D Srinivas for the Legislative Council seat and the Telangana issue.

Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office after D Srinivas filed nomination for the council's seat, Botsa said that the party recommended Srinivas' candidature considering his vast experience as three time PCC chief and his services to the party. He also denied the reports that the selection of D Srinivas for Legislative Council seat was done directly by the party High Command at New Delhi. 

Botsa said that the selection of Srinivas for council seat was done in the State capital after consulting Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and other party senior leaders. "There is no link between the Telangana and DS selection for seat,” he said. “The selection has been done irrespective of religion, caste and region,” he pointed out.

Admitting that there were several aspirants for the MLC seat, he said Srinivas was selected as he was found to be the most suitable candidate for the post. He also denied reports that Chiranjeevi was unhappy over the nomination of Srinivas.

Responding to a query regarding the on-going general strike, he expressed confidence that the employees would fall in line soon and call off their agitation considering the inconvenience being cause to the general public due to the strike.

Botsa also refuted the media reports of him having differences with the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He described those reports as baseless and far from truth. He also ruled out speculations that the party was considering changing the Chief Minister. On being asked whether D Srinivas was the next chief ministerial candidates, he said Srinivas would not be alone in the race as everyone wants to become Chief Minister.

Regarding this meeting with the Union Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy in the State capital on Monday, he said the meeting was just a courtesy call.