Former Andhra CM Kiran Reddy opts out of elections

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, in a last minute move that caught political circles by surprise, decided on Saturday not to contest the May 7 elections in Seemandhra region.

Kiran Reddy served as the last chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh before resigning in protest against the passage of the Telangana statehood bill in parliament, paving the way for imposition of president’s rule in the state. He subsequently floated Jai Samaikyaandhra Party (JSP) which he said would continue to strive for unity among Telugu-speaking people.

The former chief minister, who was expected to file his nomination papers from Piler assembly constituency in his native Chittoor district, decided to opt out and field his brother Kishore Kumar Reddy instead, ostensibly because he would be required to campaign for his party candidates in various candidates.

Some of the expelled Congress members of parliament (MP) and a few loyal former cabinet ministers had joined the party initially, but switched loyalties when they realised that there was no political future if they continued in the party.

Barring Kiran Reddy himself and a couple of expelled Congress MPs like Sabbam Hari and U Arun Kumar, there are no other leaders in the party now worth mentioning.

Addressing a road show at Piler, Kiran thanked the people who had elected his father and later him for ten terms from Vayalpadu and Piler constituencies.

He requested them to now extend the same support to his brother Kishore.

news@khaleejtimes.com

• India