Cong Leaders in AP Opposed to Ramesh’s Re-nomination to RS

Members of Andhra Pradesh Congress are reportedly opposed to re-nomination of Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to the Rajya Sabha from the state in the biennial elections due next month, said media reports.

A native of Karnataka, Ramesh was elected to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in 2004 as Congress enjoyed large numbers in the state assembly.

Presently, strength of congress party is depleted in the assembly, just capable of winning four seats, but there are many aspirants.

This is the one reason leading to members of state unit of the Congress opposing re-nomination of the union minister, but it’s not the main cause, reports said.

State Congress leaders are said to be unhappy with Ramesh’s ‘neglect’ of the interests of Andhra Pradesh in matters related to his ministry, said reports.

“As an MP from Andhra Pradesh, he has done no good for the State in his capacity as the Union Minister,” this is what local Congress leaders were quoted as saying by media reports.

“Though he is heading the environment ministry, Mr Ramesh failed to get required environmental clearances for the Polavaram irrigation project or help it secure a national project status,” a top PCC leader was quoted as saying.

Congress leaders said that Ramesh was also ‘unhelpful’ in the Kolleru lake issue, reports said.

Besides, his ministry is sitting on a proposal related to development of ‘YSR Smriti Vanam’ (memorial park) in memory of the late Chief Minister in the Nallamala reserve forest, where he was killed in a helicopter crash on September 2 last year, said reports.

YSR loyalists in the government as well as the party are particularly sore with Ramesh over this, reports said.