Vayalar Ravi arrives in AP to take stock of party affairs

Union Minister Vayalar Ravi arrived here tonight to interact with the ruling Congress MLAs and other party leaders in Andhra Pradesh to take stock of the situation amid concerns over the party's sagging popularity in the state. Observing that he has got a number of friends in Andhra Pradesh Congress, Ravi, who is familiar with the state affairs, said he has come to understand the prevailing situation in the party. He told reporters after his arrival here late tonight that he would interact with the MLAs and other party leaders as part of his mission. Ravi is expected to submit a report on his visit to the party high command. The Union Minister's visit came in the wake of the trouble in the PCC over the Telangana issue and the reported growing strength of Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The ruling party is witnessing intense infighting among party leaders in recent times. The sharp differences within the party have emerged as a matter of concern to the Congress high command as bypolls will be held soon to 18 assembly and one Lok Sabha constituency. Congress drew a blank in the bypolls held for 7 assembly seats recently. Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and state Congress president Botsa Satyanarayana had been recently summoned to Delhi and reportedly told by the party leadership to unitedly work for the party's victory in the coming polls. The bypolls for 16 seats have become necessary due to the disqualification of sitting Congress MLAs who switched loyalty to Kadapa MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and voted against the Congress government during a floor test in December while a sitting member quit in support of Jagan in another seat. Besides, actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi quit as MLA following his election to Rajya Sabha.