Revanth Reddy plans to beat resignations heat with Azadi Gaurav Yatra

HYDERABAD: Battling desertions and infighting, TPCC chief Revanth Reddy appears to be doing just 'what the doctor ordered'..! In a desperate bid to deflect the attention of the cadres and leaders from the recent developments within the party, he is looking to keep them all busy with a string of activities.

A zoom meeting with all the presidents of district Congress committees (DCC) was held on Sunday to chalk out the plan of action for the immediate future in Telangana. Needless to say, the remote video call meeting, presided over by working president Mahesh Kumar Goud, was convened under the directions of Revanth Reddy.

Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who joined the Zoom call from Khammam, and Mahesh Kumar Goud were the significant speakers in the meeting. It was decided in the meeting that the 'Azadi Gaurav Yatra', as called by the AICC to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence should be taken out across Telangana with renewed vigour.

As part of it, padayatras (foot march) should be conducted from August 9 to 15 to enlighten the public about the proactive role Congress played before Independence and also after, in handing out the fruits of freedom to the people of the country. The working president directed all the DCC chiefs to ensure the coverage of at least 75 km in a day with a minimum of 75 leaders taking part in the rally which should feature giant-size national flags. Every leader in the Zoom meeting was asked to spare no efforts in effectively spreading the message of Congress party's distinctive services to the country and the sacrifices of its prominent leaders.

How far the Telangana Congress will be able to succeed in this mission is something for the future to determine but the Zoom meeting appeared to have achieved its intended purpose to an extent. By holding a meeting on organisational matters, the TPCC and its chief Revanth Reddy in particular, want to send out the signal that the party remains unruffled and cannot easily be distracted by the recent developments.

The Azadi Gaurav Yatra is a parallel call given by the AICC to take the fizz out of the Narendra Modi government's 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative. More than anything else, the TPCC wants to make the best use of the padayatras to reactivate the party's network and re-establish the bond with the people at the grass-roots level.

The morale of the cadre was dented to some extent with the recent resignations of Munugodu MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and AICC spokesperson Dasoju Sravan. The two had spewed venom against Revanth Reddy citing him as the sole reason for their exit. This has triggered a new wave of speculation that a 'target-Revanth' campaign is once again taking shape with the tacit support of senior leaders who prefer to keep mum out in the open.

Sensing the danger, Revanth Reddy is reported to have decided to keep the flock busy with a flurry of organisational activities and in the process earn some breathing time to address the core issues challenging his leadership.

How far the old guard of the party will allow the beleaguered TPCC chief to put his plan to practice and to perfection is a riddle that will get some answers in the next few weeks.