AP: Kiran is a Jagan covert, says Ravindra Reddy

                                                                                     
HYDERABAD/KADAPA: In a fresh broadside against Kiran Kumar Reddy, loose cannon minister D L Ravindra Reddy on Thursday called the chief minister a covert operative of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Though Ravindra Reddy’s outburst was a reaction to Kamalapuram MLA Veera Shiva Reddy and former MLA Varadarajul Reddy’s attack on him on Wednesday, he turned his fusillade upon Kiran Kumar.

Stating that ‘someone’ was egging on his detractors, Ravindra Reddy told reporters in Khajipet in Kadapa district, “That person is occupying the highest position, but has been very considerate to Jagan Mohan Reddy. Does he have the guts to question Jagan as to how he amassed wealth?”

Ravindra Reddy added, “When he (Kiran) was the speaker, he went to Delhi 48 times clandestinely to lobby the party bosses. And he accuses me of taking bribes to increase the number of seats in medical colleges.”

The health minister said he was not consulted on the candidates to fight the three forthcoming Assembly byelections in Kadapa district.

“The chief minister had tickets allotted to his candidates. Therefore, the responsibility of ensuing their victory rests on him,” he said.

Ravindra Reddy’s adherence to the Kiran Kumar government has come unhinged since his portfolios were trimmed earlier this year.

Although initial signals indicated growing proximity to Jagan Mohan Reddy -- whom he fought and lost to in the Kadapa byelection -- sources say it is unlikely he will hitch his wagon to the son of his friend-turned-foe Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Ravindra Reddy has previously claimed to be “vexed with debased politics” and did some loud thinking about taking political sanyas.

Sources, however, say that he would be encouraged to stay in the party if given importance. Should he switch loyalties, it might be to Chandrababu Naidu rather than Jagan, sources say.

When K Rosaiah resigned as chief minister in 2010, Ravindra Reddy fancied himself for the post and stated on record, “I was elected to the Assembly six times. Why not me?”

When Kiran Kumar Reddy won the post, he kept quiet and was content with a place in the ministry and the medical and health portfolio. Though Kiran Reddy did give him an important portfolio, he used to take all crucial decisions leaving Ravidnra Reddy seething.

Things came to a boil when Ravindra Reddy wanted principal secretary (health) P V Ramesh transferred, and the chief minister turned a deaf ear. Further differences cropped up over entrusting the 108 service to GVK. The last straw proved to be the clipping of Ravindra’s portfolio in the cabinet expansion in February.

The chief minister separated medical education and entrusted it to Kondru Murali Mohan while leaving Ravindra Reddy with only the health Portfolio.

“The way medical education was removed hurt me,” Ravindra Redddy said then.

“I am not very keen on positions. I am not in the habit of taking money in suitcases to Chennai and Delhi to secure positions,’’ he said.

from ibn live