‘Opportunistic behaviour’ vs ‘hard work’ will be the narrative of one group while ‘one-man show’ vs ‘ignoring seniors’ will be the counter-narrative of the Telangana Congress leaders when they meet former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Monday evening.
To put it simply, it will be ‘Revanth vs anti-Revanth’ groups at the meeting called to sort out the differences in Telangana Congress as the party high command senses a positive sign of the party’s growth in the State, going by the 40 lakh membership done and the high attendance at the series of public meetings across TS.
Thirty-eight leaders, including members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) consisting of MLAs, MPs, former Ministers, former PCC chiefs, working presidents and a few others, have been invited by the AICC. Most of them have already reached New Delhi.
Additional observer?
Leaders unhappy with Mr. Reddy are likely to press for the appointment of an additional observer for the party affairs apart from Mr. Manickam Tagore to have their say in the party affairs. But going by the developments that is quite unlikely, according to sources, given the backing Mr. Reddy has at the top.
The whole purpose of the meeting is to give a hearing to the seniors’ woes and ‘dissidents’ who feel they have been neglected, and a stern message will be sent to them to co-operate with the present team in the interests of the party.
Supporters of Mr. Reddy are likely to be less aggressive in their approach and give more space to the seniors at the meeting, according to a leader.
Not an easy task
However, senior leaders who are not comfortable with the PCC chief’s style but have not come out openly against him so far, are not likely to keep quiet. Most of these seniors have been MLAs more than once or have served the party for a long time, including serving as Ministers in the previous Congress governments. “They have their strengths, credibility and connections with the party leadership. So, it will not be an easy task for the opposing group to play down their arguments,” a senior leader wishing anonymity said.
Mr. Reddy’s followers, however, are confident that he has already scored brownie points by crossing the 40 lakh digital membership in Telangana, said to be the highest among States where Congress is strong. Moreover, his ability to stay in the news countering every government narrative on development or policies has ensured his popularity is intact.
Good sign
Young leaders within the party, however, see this meeting as a good sign in the party’s interests. “Whatever is the outcome, it will only strengthen the party.”
