Congress infighting: Vizianagaram ZP poll postponed

Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, Jan 24 (UNI) The ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh is facing an embarassing situation with two senior Ministers having serious differences over selection of the party nominee for the post of Vizianagaram Zilla Parishad chairman, causing the poll slated for today to be postponed for want of quorum.

The post fell vacant when Marketing Minister Satyanarayana got his wife Botsa Jhansi, the Chairperson, a Lok Sabha ticket. She won the seat with a narrow margin, wresting it from the TDP.

Mr Satyanarayana wanted his brother Appala Narasaiah to be Chairman, but Forest Minister Satrucharla Vijayarama opposed it saying the Cabinet, Lok Sabha and ZP posts would all be with one family.

Local leaders however approved Mr Narasaiah's name and all was set for the election. This was stalled when the Forest Minister's men abstained, forcing the meeting to be postponed for want of quorum.

Denying the abstention was deliberate, Mr Vijayarama said his workers could not attend the meeting as they did not get information on time. He alleged the announcement of the party candidate was made at the local level and did not have the approval of the state party.

Mr Satyanarayana, who went to the extent of resigning his Cabinet post, suggested the name of Gazapathi Nagaram, ZPTC member of Gara Toudu as a temporary arrangement, and Vangapandu Narayanappa, former MLA from Gajapathinagaram to be made Chairman later. He said his brother would resign his Rajeru ZPTC membership to facilitate Narayanappa's election.

The party leadership is busy trying for a reconciliation.

UNI