Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ponnala Lakshmaiah on Sunday defused a possible revolt against him by Congress MPs by convening a meeting with them.
Originally, the meeting of MPs and former MPs was convened by Rajya Sabha MP V Hanumantha Rao at Madina Education Centre. However, Ponnala convinced him to hold at the meeting at Gandhi Bhavan.
He reportedly told VHR that MPs' meeting at a private location would send a wrong message among the people.
He personally called all the MPs and also the candidates who lost recent Lok Sabha elections. His efforts turned fruitful and MPs including Sukhender Reddy, Nandi Yellaiah, VHR, MA Khan and R Anand Bhaskar participated in the meeting. CLP leaders K Jana Reddy and D Srinivas also attended the meeting.
According to sources, the MPs minced no words in expressing their displeasure in the style of TPCC's functioning. Rajya Sabha MP Palwai Govardhan reportedly entered into an argument with Ponnala while holding him directly responsible for party's defeat in recent general elections. However, both were pacified by Jana Reddy.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Ponnala claimed there were no differences within the Congress leaders and the MPs grievance of their non-representation in TPCC Coordination Committee would be addressed.
He informed that the Coordination Committee would meet on November 23 in the presence of AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and Secretary RC Kuntaiah. Later, a meeting will also be held with the party MPs.
The State Minorities Convention will be held in the evening which will be attended by 30 delegates from each district. A preparatory meeting will also be held on November 13 at Gandhi Bhavan, he said.
