Chiru calls on Sonia, says no change of CM

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Congress MP K. Chiranj-eevi said on Wednesday that party president Sonia Gandhi would implement an action plan to prepare the party for the 2014 general elections in the state.

Mr Chiranjeevi, along with ministers C. Ramach-andraiah and Ganta Sriniv-asa Rao, met the Congress president on Wednesday evening and submitted a detailed report regarding what had gone wrong for the party in the just-concluded bypolls in the state.

Talking to the media outside Mrs Gandhi’s 10 Janpa-th Road residence in New Delhi, Mr Chiranjeevi said lack of unity and coordination among Congress leaders and a sympathy wave in favour of the YSR Congress on account of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s arrest were the main reasons for the Congress’ poor show. “I told her the reasons and she was convinced,” he said.

On whether her action plan would include a change of Chief Minister, Mr Chiranjeevi said, “I don’t think the bypoll debacle will lead to a change of chief minister; there is lack of coordination all over, if that is addressed the Congress will have no problem in the 2014 elections.”

Replying to a question, Congress MP K. Chiranjeevi said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was very concerned about the party’s current situation in the state.

“She is going to implement a major action plan keeping the bypoll trends in mind and prepare the party to face the 2014 elections. I also offered some suggestions to her,” he said.

He also said that the media had wrongly quoted him about taking credit for the victories in Ramachandr-apuram and Narsapuram.

“I never said so; due to better coordination among Congress leaders there, the victories were possible,” he clarified.

He reiterated that it was up to the Congress president to use his services in whatever manner she felt right. “I am a loyal Congress worker and will serve the party even without any post. I will abide by whatever Sonia Gandhi decides about my post,” Mr Chiranjeevi said.