Botsa skips Baata, but Kiran has a merry ride

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At a time when both the Congress government and the party in the state are coming under heavy flak from the Opposition and from certain sections within the party itself, the differences between Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana are increasing.

Mr Satyanarayana skipped the CM’s fourth Indiramma Baata in West Godavari district stating that he had not been invited by the local party leaders. While he attended the programmes in East Godavari, Srikakulam and Khammam, sources said that members of the state coordination panel had objected to the PCC chief participating in the Indiramma Baata while ignoring them. They have also alleged that the programme was tailored to boost the Chief Minister’s image and not that of the party. The ego clashes and personal agenda of members of the coordination panel members and their complaints apparently forced Mr Satyanarayana to skip the West Godavari programme.

Meanwhile, contrary to their expectations, the Indiramma Baata programme has been proving successful with Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy receiving good crowds in the districts even at odd hours.

He only managed to sleep at 3 am on Sunday morning after completing the second day’s programme. Sources close to the Chief Minister pointed out that every leader had been informed and invited to the programme. “Some leaders do not want Kiran Reddy to grow as a mass leader; but in reality he is emerging as just that if one goes by the response; the CM has established himself as one committed towards development and welfare, this may be an eyesore to some leaders but he cannot help that,” said a leader close to the Chief Minister.

However, sources close to Mr Satyanarayana say Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy is not involving other leaders and taking all decisions individually without bothering to consult them. For example, regarding the resignation of Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao from the Cabinet, the PCC chief has gone on record saying he was not aware what the Chief Minister was going to do regarding the issue and that he was not consulted.