D Srinivas to be the new APCC President

New Delhi, Mar 25 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Minister D Srinivas has been nominated to head the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled in early 2009.

The decision of the Congress President was announced by AICC Working Committee Member M Veerappa Moily, Andhra Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told newspersons at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, minutes after the party communique was issued formally.

Describing Mr Srinivas' appointment as a 'good omen', Dr Reddy recalled as how Mr Sreenivas as state party chief and he as the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly between 2001 and 2004 had steered the party to the path of victory giving a crushing blow to the government headed by Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu. "We are confident that our team would repeat our past performance in 2009 polls also", Dr Reddy said, thanking party President for taking the right decision.

Mr Srinivas who was also present, concurred with Dr Reddy and said "We are a tried and tested team and will the party to victory".

Answering questions regarding the Telangana problems, the new President said his views on Telangana issue was well known and he would abide by the decision taken by the Congress in the national interest. Mr Srinivas will succeed Mr G S Rao, the stop-gap President.

Dr Reddy avoided details of the new appointment by quipping, "You should not ask questions concerning the discussions between the Congress President and the CM and I should also not answer such questions".

UNI MCN RSA KN2001