Andhra Congress legislators authorise Sonia to name new leader

Hyderabad, Nov 27 : The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Andhra Pradesh Friday authorised party president Sonia Gandhi to select the new leader to succeed late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in September.

Senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after the meeting that the CLP unanimously passed a resolution moved by the late chief minister's son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy requesting Sonia Gandhi to select the leader.

"Mr. Jagan moved the resolution requesting Sonia Gandhi to select the leader and it was carried unanimously," he said.

The union finance minister said that after his return to Delhi, he would report the proceedings to Sonia Gandhi and then she would name the new leader.

The party sources, however, said the selection of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah as the CLP leader was only a formality and an announcement was expected in Delhi Friday evening or Saturday.

Mukherjee and Veerappa Moily, general secretary in charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, attended the CLP meeting as central observers.

The meeting, attended by 150 legislators, 49 members of council and 29 MPs, also passed a resolution condoling the death of YSR.

"The condolence resolution also appreciated the contribution made by Rajasekhara Reddy to build the state and his commitment and dedication to the people of the state in particular and the people of the country at large," said Mukherjee.

He said the meeting also passed a resolution conveying heartfelt condolences to the families of "large number of people who died of shock due to the sad and untimely demise of Rajasekhara Reddy".

Another resolution condoled the death of Rajasekhara Reddy's secretary, chief security officer and two pilots in the helicopter crash Sep 2.

Jaganmohan Reddy, who is an MP from Kadapa, has already given up his claim for the post of the chief minister after the central leadership decided to continue Rosaiah as the chief minister.

Jagan's supporters among the legislators also did not raise their demand during the CLP meeting. The legislators told reporters before the meeting that while they personally want to see Jagan as the chief minister, they would abide by the central leadership's decision.

The CLP meeting was convened a day after central leadership picked YSR's wife Vijayalakshmi as the party candidate for by-election to Pulivendula assembly constituency.

By ignoring Jagan's claim for the assembly seat that fell vacant due to his father's death, the central leadership has sent clear signals that it want him to continue as MP.

Later, addressing a meeting of party leaders at Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of the sate party unit, Mukherjee urged the party cadre to remain united and dedicate themselves to serve the people.

He said there may be divergent views within the party but the cadre should work together to strengthen the party.