The Congress Party has zeroed upon suitable candidates for Chief Minsiter posts in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. Sources are believed that ex-ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Kanna Lakshmi Narayana names were finalized by the Congress high command and they are likely to be appointed as Chief Ministers for both the Telugu states. Also Congress opined that President Rule in the current state would bring many issues and headaches. The general elections in the state are also likely to get delayed in view of bifurcation and the Election Commission of India [ECI] is taking account of all possibilities for smoother process of the polls.
Uttam Kumar and Kanna have been strong contenders for the CM post and coming to individuals, here are short stories of the future Chief Ministers.
Who is Kanna Lakshminarayana?
Kanna Lakshimnarayana has been in Congress since 1989. He won from Pedakurapadu, the biggest constituency in Andhra Pradesh, for four straight terms, from 1989 to 2004. In 2009, YSR moved Kanna to Guntur [West] where the Kapu Community has strong foundation. Congress seems to be moving all efforts to attract the Kapu community and so thought Kanna would be the ideal person who can bring votes to the Party. Kanna also never spoke against anybody in the party and was always in favor of Congress decisions. After the Congress Working Committee decision on Telangana, Kanna personally met Sonia Gandhi and rumors floated at the one point of time that he might replace Kiran. Kanna has also very good relations with Delhi Congress leaders and they believed to have lot hopes on him. He headed Agriculture & Agriculture Technology Mission portfolio in Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet. Kanna has long tiff with MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao. Rayapati openly accused Kanna but Kanna did not opened his mouth and said anything against him.
Who is Uttam Kumar Reddy?
Uttam Kumar Reddy is Congress MLA from 1999. He represented from Kodad constituency twice [in 1999 and 2004] and in 2009 he contested from Huzurnagar. In Kiran's cabinet Housing, Weaker Section Housing Programme, AP Cooperative Housing Societies Federation and AP Housing Board portfolio was headed by Uttam. He is dead oppose against the Komati Reddy brothers in Nalgonda and openly criticized them for making statements against Kiran Kumar Reddy before the Telangana decision was made. Uttam backed Kiran government in all attempts but after Kiran's revolt against high command on Telangana, he kept distance. After Kiran's resgination, Uttam met Congress high command leaders secretly and requested them to consider his name for the CM post. The Reddy factor may help Congress in Telangana region as in 2009 more number of this community leaders won the elections with ease.
(AW: Vamshi)
