Congress will elect its CLP leader today

Hyderabad: The Congress will elect its Legislature Party leader hours before the Assembly session begins on Thursday. Despite its defeat in the elections, the competition for the CLP leader’s post is tough.

Those in the race include TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, former Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, former minister D. Sridhar Babu and party legislator Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy.

The high command has deputed AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal as an observer to the meeting which will be attended by TS Congress in charge R.C. Khuntia and AICC secretaries.

According to Congress convention, the CLP will pass a resolution authorising the high command to select the CLP leader. Mr Venugopal will duly inform the high command of the decision. On the directions of the high command, the AICC observer will announce the name of the CLP leader.

The aspirants have lobbied in Delhi over the last few days, meeting AICC leaders. 

Mr Rajagopal Reddy has asked to be made either the TPCC president or CLP leader. Party sources said Mr Mallu Bhatti was leading the race to be CLP leader, and his being from the SC community improved his chances.

This is more so after the TPCC suspended former minister Sarve Satyanarayana, an SC leader, who commented that the party was being ruled by the upper castes who were not giving opportunities to SC and ST community leaders.