Naidu placates defiant minister

Raghuram, who represents Jaggayyapet constituency in Krishna district, called on the Chief Minister at his Jubilee Hill residence to explain the “hurt feelings” of his followers but reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, TDP sources said.

The dropped minister pointed out that his ouster from the Cabinet was sending wrong signals to Opposition Congress leaders who had levelled corruption charges against him.

The Chief Minister, however, clarified that he was not influenced by Opposition charges and that he had to take several factors into consideration in therestructuring.

“The meeting ended on a very positive note. There is no question of Raghuram quitting the Assembly,” sources said.

Hurt over his removal from the Cabinet, Raghuram had earlier gone into a huddle with his close followers in his constituency on Sunday last. The Chief Minister was the target of attack at the meeting and there were indications that Raghuram might resign from the Assembly.

In a damage-control exercise, Naidu had deputed Rajya Sabha member P Prabhakar Reddy to hold parleys with the sulking legislator and prevail over him not to resign.

Raghuram, who arrived here to “sort out” the matter, could not meet the Chief Minister yesterday as the latter was busy with “janmabhoomi” programmes.

Of the four dropped ministers, S V Subba Reddy had put up defiance and was strident in criticising the leadership. Reddy, who was holding roads and buildings portfolio, had to be dismissed from the ministry following his refusal to resign.

A powerful faction leader from Rayalseemaregion, Reddy had demanded CBI probe into wealth accumulated by all ministers including the Chief Minister.

The information and public relations minister T Seetharam was also reportedly sulking over his being stripped of tourism portfolio.