Ex-PCC Chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah quits Congress ahead of Telangana assembly polls
In a setback to the Telangana Congress ahead of Assembly elections, former PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah sent a letter to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge resigning from the party citing an “unjust environment”.
Ponnala in his letter alleged that when a group of 50 BC leaders from Telangana went to Delhi to request prioritisation for the backward classes, they were denied even a meeting with AICC leaders, which is an embarrassment for the state that prides itself on self respect.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to discontinue my association with the party. I have reached a point where I feel that I can no longer thrive in such an unjust environment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported me in my various party roles over the years,” he said in the letter that was posted on a WhatsApp group to which he belongs.
Despite repeated attempts, Lakshmaiah, a former minister in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, could not be reached for comments.
His resignation from the party comes as a setback for the Congress which is gearing up to announce its list of candidates for the November 30 assembly polls.
Lakshmaiah is a four-time MLA and served as minister in undivided Andhra Pradesh for 12 years.
Expressing unhappiness with the process that the Congress has taken up for allotting tickets to candidates, Lakshmaiah said there was no regard for the party membership or contributions made by party members.
“Unfortunately, we rely on external consultants — often disregarding dedicated workers’ voices,” he alleged.
If BC leaders are made to feel insignificant and secondary, it would jeopardise not only their self esteem but also the party’s reputation, he warned.
He said the ruling BRS party recognises backward class leaders and offers them good positions while even leaders such as the PCC president, campaign committee chairman, former MPs and working presidents are unable to secure an audience with the top leadership of the Congress to discuss the concerns of BC leaders of the party in the state.
The party’s candidate selection process, which should ideally be driven by the principles of fairness and representation, has come under question — and allegations of irregularities further erode the party’s integrity, he alleged.
“It is deeply unfortunate that senior leaders like me have had to wait for months to discuss party concerns and I have personally expressed the frustration at waiting for 10 days in Delhi to meet AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal,” he charged.
He said he was “unfairly” blamed for the Congress’s defeat in the 2014 polls in Telangana when he was PCC president (in undivided Andhra Pradesh) and “unceremoniously” removed from the post in 2015.
