Botsa dismisses reports of YSRCP's merger

Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Tuesday ruled out the possibilities of merger of YSR Congress party with the Congress.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, Botsa Satyanarayana said that it was common for the opposition parties to meet the ruling party leaders over public issues. However, such meetings should not seen as indications of merger. Further, he said that the YSR Congress party was formed by leaders who cheated the Congress party. Therefore, it was wrong to assume that the YSRCP would merge with the Congress party.

Botsa also described the YSR Congress party leaders as those who cheated the Congress party after extracting several benefits from it. He said that the YSRCP was of no political value and it could not be merged with the Congress. He said although several leaders rejoined the Congress after trying in vain to damage it, the YSRCP leaders have even lost that opportunity.

The PCC chief also condemned the criticism on the recently released book of Rajya Sabha MP KVP Ramchandar Rao on former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's padayatra. He said YSR was a loyal Congress leader till he breathed his last and therefore, he would continue to be treated and honoured as the Congressman forever.

Regarding the Telugu Desam Party's proposal to release a fresh letter on Telangana statehood demand, Botsa said that the TDP's commitment was doubtful and it would take a 'U' turn at any moment. He said that it was TDP's delay to react on the demand for Telangana that complicated the entire issue. He said it was not necessary for the Congress to issue a letter on the issue and being a ruling party it would take the final decision after taking the opinion of other parties into consideration.