Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy is likely to axe sulking medical and health minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy for his outspoken criticism of him. Dr Ravindra Reddy had on Wednesday said that the Chief Minister did not consult any leader before finalising candidates for the June 12 bypolls prompting criticism from the CM’s supporters — Kamalapuram MLA G. Veera Siva Reddy and former Proddutur MLA N. Varadarajulu Reddy.
Dr Ravindra Reddy targeted the CM and district leaders for the second consecutive day. “How can Veera Siva Reddy and Varadarajulu Reddy talk ill about me and call me a covert supporter of (Kadapa MP Y.S.) Jagan Mohan Reddy, when the big covert supporter of Jagan Mohan Reddy in the Congress is none other than the Chief Minister? Why is he (CM) not attacking Jagan Mohan Reddy? Is it our duty to attack Jagan Mohan Reddy while he watches?” asked an impassioned Dr Ravindra Reddy.
Kiran sends complaint on minister
Sources close to the Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy say he has sent a report to the party’s central leadership complaining of the health minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy’s anti-Congress and anti-government statements. The health minister warned that once the bypoll results are out on June 15, the Congress leadership will take drastic steps to tone up the party and administration. He said both Mr Varadarajulu Reddy and Mr Veera Siva Reddy had the habit of changing parties and loyalties, but he has never indulged in such activities during his 35 years of political life.
Criticising the CM he said, “Is it not he (CM) who has asked the Speaker not to disqualify Jagan Mohan Reddy’s MLAs K. Srinivasulu (Koduru) and G. Srikanth Reddy (Rayachoti)? Is it not a fact that Kiran Kumar Reddy visited Delhi 48 times to meet Congress leaders while he was the Speaker?”