Telangana PCC to go ahead with meeting despite objections

Hyderabad, Aug 18 (INN): Despite objections by a majority of leaders, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to go ahead with party’s two-day workshop on August 25th and 26th at Ibrahimpatnam of Ranga Reddy district.

Briefing media persons after the party’s Extended Executive meeting at Gandhi Bhavan here on Monday evening, TPCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah and AICC Secretary RC Kuntaiah said that the TPCC would finalise its future strategy during the workshop. Discussions will be held on topics related to Dalits, Tribals, minorities, farmers and issues concerning the common man.

Nearly 1,600 Congress leaders from village to State level will attend the workshop.

Earlier, Ponnala chaired the meeting which was attended by senior leaders including K Jana Reddy, D Srinivas, Mohammad Ali Shabbir, Danam Nagender, P Govardhan Reddy, Farooq Hussain, Dr J Geetha Reddy, DK Aruna among others. According to sources, Shabbir Ali said that there was unanimity among leaders for postponing the workshop. However, if the workshop is conducted, then on the first day itself all local leaders should be allowed to speak and the senior leaders should speak only on the next day.

Sources say that AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi was willing to attend the workshop. However, he did not security clearance due to the meeting’s venue in Ibrahimpatnam.

Earlier in the day, CLP leader in Legislative Council D Srinivas held a meeting with all Congress MLCs to discuss the proposed strategy. Except for Peer Shabbir Ahmed and Venkak, all other MLCs participated in the meeting.

Participating in the meeting, MLC Farooq Hussain has suggested that the workshop be postponed and all senior leaders be made incharge of each of the 30 mandals of Medak Lok Sabha constituency.