Congress leaders against Prez Rule in AP

Hyderabad, Feb 20 : The Congress leaders in the State are against the imposition of President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh.

A day after Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy submitted his resignation, there were high speculations that Governor ESL Narasimhan would recommend President’s Rule in the State. However, several senior leaders including Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana called on the Governor and reportedly requested him not to recommend the President’s Rule.

Accompanied with senior leaders including Kanna Lakshminarayana, Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, Dr N Raghuveera Reddy and a few legislators, Botsa met the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Thursday.During the meeting that lasted for about 20 minutes, Botsa has reportedly told Narasimhan that the Congress Legislature Party would elect a new leader soon. However, speaking to media persons later, Raghuveera Reddy and Anam described the meeting as informal.

Earlier, former ministers Vatti Vasanth Kumar and Danam Nagender too called on the Governor separately.

According to sources, the Congress leaders including Botsa, have assured the Congress High Command that they would abide by its decision and asked it nominate a new leader for the Chief Minister’s post.

Botsa was expected to make a formal announcement in this regard. However, a press conference which he proposed to address at 4 PM, was postponed at the last minute. He is likely to come out with a statement on this issue on Friday.  INN