Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s latest programme – “Indira Baata” – from July 12 to 14, aimed to revive the lost image of the ruling Congress and that of his own, was not taken kindly by many of his cabinet colleagues.

At a meeting convened by the Chief Minister at the camp office, many ministers expressed dissatisfaction over the way Kiran had announced the programme unilaterally without even consulting them. They are apprehensive that the programme might boomerang on them, as the government could not implement many of the promises made during the similar programmes – “Rachcha Banda” and “Praja Patham” before the by-elections.

The ministers advised the Chief Minister to postpone the programme to a later date, as the people are angry with the government over severe power cuts, lack of agriculture inputs, drinking water crisis and fee reimbursement scheme etc.

“We have no face to show to the people under these circumstances. Let the monsoon improve and the government gets time to implement the schemes. Then we can go to the people,” they said.

However, Kiran was firm that the Indiramma Baata should be held. “Let us explain to the people the facts. We should be among the people with one programme or the other. Otherwise, they might think the government has ignored them,” he said.