Congress minister quits to escape to contest ?

 

Apr 3 : Union Textile Minister Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, who tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today over the issue of bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh, has practically left no option. Though he has decided two months ago to resign, he delayed exploring other options on his political future.

In the present confusing political scenario, observers felt he resigned from the cabinet before exploring political alternatives, only to escape from contesting in elections as Congress candidate as that would makes him to lose deposits.

Though he resigned from the cabinet, interestingly he didn’t resigned from Congress party. After the cabinet approved Andhra Pradesh bifurcation, though several other cabinet colleagues from Seemandhra region submitted their resignations, Rao never submitted his papers to the Prime Minister.

He is representing Eluru constituency in West Godavari district in the Lok Sabha. Elected to the Lower House for the first time in 1984, he is serving fifth term. He has emerged a potential Congress leader from coastal region and served on many parliamentary panels, including crucial public accounts committee.

Emerged as close associate of Congress veteran Arjun Singh, he is a one of big contractor in construction activity in the country and was unhappy for not getting place in union cabinet inspite of his seniority. Only last year he was inducted into the cabinet due to speculations he may left the party.

As the issue of Andhra Pradesh bifurcation came to limelight immediately after he became union minister, for a long he remained mute spectator, though he was very ferocious campaigner for united Andhra Pradesh before joining cabinet. He simply registered his protest in the cabinet meeting towards state bifurcation.

After announcement of election schedule, he sensed that Congress party is practically losing its face in Seemandhra region which provoked several state ministers, MPs and MLAs to migrate to other parties. In his constituency also, according his open admission over 80 per cent of party cadre in written asked him to join TDP.

Earlier, he attempted to join YSR Congress Party. But the party leadership expressed helplessness to field him as their candidate from Eluru as already they have decided their candidate. Then, he tried to join TDP and its President N Chandrababu Naidu also responded positively. However, those efforts were countered by local TDP leaders. Former Minister Magunta Babu, who unsuccessfully contested against him in 2009 as TDP candidate, openly said party cadre are against for it. Sending opposition from TDP cadre he withdraws his efforts.

Presently, the only option available for him is to join BJP. But, as BJP is exploring electoral adjustments with TDP and Eluru seat are not figures among Lok Sabha seats sought by BJP, the saffron party also not in a position to accommodate him.