major role in Andhra Pradesh politics

In case the PCC chief is removed, it is highly likely that he will be replaced by a leader from the Kapu community as caste plays a major role in Andhra Pradesh politics.

Reddys have always stood behind the Congress but majority of them have shifted loyalties to Jagan Reddy, whose father YS Rajasekhara Reddy ruled Andhra Pradesh without any rebellion from inside the party.

The chief minister hopes the Congress high command would guide him appropriately on the whole issue as the political implications, even within the party, could be heavy.

backdrop of speculation that the party is trying to end factionalism

As Mr Reddy arrived in the capital, party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Chiranjeevi met Congress President Sonia Gandhi for over 30 minutes and confabulated over the political situation in the state.

Chiranjeevi, who belongs to the influential Kapu community, is of the view that Reddys, who supported the Congress for years have migrated with Jagan Reddy along with Dalits, and that only his community was supporting the party.

He is believed to have told the Congress chief that leaders from Kapu community should be given preference in party and the government. Chiranjeevi refused to talk about the meeting.

However, Kiran Reddy could not get an audience from Ms Gandhi till late in the night but held discussions with General Secretary in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior ministers AK Antony and P Chidambaram

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister in Delhi, advice on key issues

Battling crisis after crisis, Kiran Reddy now wants the party top brass to break the impasse on issues like the resignation of roads and buildings minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, named in the charge sheet in the Jagan case, and the fate of other ministers under scanner.

His visit comes in the backdrop of speculation that the party is tryi
ng to end factionalism in the government and state unit by removing PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana, who is a known adversary of the chief minister.

Andhra Pradesh CM meets Sonia to discuss Jagan case fallout

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday discussed with Congress President Sonia Gandhi the issue of resignation of Buildings minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, who has been chargesheeted in the disproportionate assets case against YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

During the meeting, Mr Reddy is understood to have sought the High Command's advice on dealing with the issue as Mr Rao's resignation has been pending with him. Mr Rao submitted his resignation after CBI chargesheeted him in the Jagan case.

The Chief Minister is also believed to have discussed the fate of other ministers who are under the CBI scanner in the case.

Good news for Telangana?

New Delhi: Will there be a consensus today on the Telangana issue? With the Centre still struggling to finalise its strategy to solve the Telangana statehood crisis, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday that the consultation process would end on Monday.

"The consultation process within the Congress is still going on. I think we will be able to complete the process by Monday," Mr Mukherjee said. He, however, refused to set any deadline for the resolution of the matter.

The pressure is now on the Congress for a time bound announcement of its position.