Rahul bid to revive Congress in AP

Concerned over the Congress plummeting popularity and electoral debacles in recent by-polls in Andhra Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi has began consultation process with leaders from the state to bailout the party from crisis since the death of Y S Rajesekhara Reddy in 2009.

Informed sources in the party told Deccan Herald that the Congress general secretary has started discussing party affairs and political scenario in Andhra Pradesh with Congress MPs from the state last week.

“Rahul has met MPs from Andhra Pradesh as he wants to get acquainted with all the issues before drawing a roadmap to strengthen the party in  the state,” a senior Congress functionary said.
The Gandhi scion is also likely to meet more leaders from the state including parliamentarians and legislators in near future to find solution to the issues crippling the party.

Sources further informed that Rahul initiated the consultation process after he was asked by party president Sonia Gandhi to informally take charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradeh after events unfolding in the state worried her.

Sonia turned to Rahul to intervene into party affairs in the state after she was briefed by leaders from the state about various issues such as emergence of Jaganmohan Reddy, the Telanaga issue and infighting among party leaders.

Knowing the electoral importance of the state, which had sent maximum Congress MPs (33 of 206) to Lok Sabha in 2009, Sonia asked Rahul to ensure that things improve before 2014 general elections.

Congress dipping popularity in the state was reflected in party’s humiliating defeat in the recent by-polls in which rebel leader Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress bagged the Nellore Lok Sabha and 15 of the 18 Assembly seats.

Apart from Jaganmohan’s soaring popularity, the failure of Congress to take a decision on Telangana and factionalism in the party is costing the party  dear in the state.

Sources also informed that Rahul wants to get “minutest of detail” on Telanaga as there is pressure on the high command from state leaders to take a decision on the vexed issue.