DS announces team to downsize Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad, Aug 21(INN): In yet another controversial move, CLP leader in Telangana Legislative Council Dharampuri Srinivas on Thursday announced his team by making almost all MLCs office-bearers.

The Congress party, which had a strength of 17 MLCs in Telangana Council after the bifurcation, was confined to nine following revolt by the eight senior MLCs who joined the Telangana Rashtra Samithi. The MLCs had revolted against DS while accusing the latter of paying bribe to the colleagues to ensure his election as the CLP leader on June 3. However, amid allegations Srinivas was elected as the CLP chief while Shabbir Ali, who lost by one vote, was elected as Deputy CLP leader.

Srinivas faced severe criticism following allegations of “Cash for Post”. The exit of senior MLCs including Bhanu Prasad, KR Amos, Yadav Reddy, Jagadeshwara Reddy, Rajeshwar Rao, Bhupal Reddy, Rajalingam and Nethi Vidyasagar too deteriorated his problems. However, on Thursday, DS took another decision hitting the powers of Shabbir Ali. He appointed Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy and Maganti Ranga Reddy as Deputy CLP leaders along with Shabbir Ali. Likewise, MS Prabhakar has been appointed as Whip while Farooq Hussain and Santosh Kumar.

Therefore, out of nine Congress MLCs, seven are now office-bearers of Congress Legislature Party.