Andhra Pradesh Congress party decides to contest all seats in local body elections

The first meeting of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, chaired by AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs and MLC P.V. Mohan, on Sunday decided that the party would contest all seats in the forthcoming urban and rural local body elections in the State.

The marathon meeting, held at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada, reviewed the political and organisational situation in the State and discussed preparations for the elections, with the State Election Commission gearing up for the exercise.

The PAC also decided to constitute a three-member committee to hold discussions and finalise possible alliances with the INDIA bloc parties, like-minded parties and organisations opposed to the BJP and NDA.

Caste census

Meanwhile, on the caste census, a statement released by the Congress leadership on Sunday said the party decided to intensify its campaign for inclusion of a separate column and distinct code for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the prescribed format for the ongoing caste census process.

The party leaders were of the view that a socio-economic survey of OBCs should be undertaken as part of the census exercise. They also decided to urge the BJP to honour the assurance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the issue and organise public programmes highlighting its position.

The PAC discussed allegations of corruption relating to the TDP and YSRCP regimes, particularly in connection with mines, liquor, sand, land and PDS rice. It also reviewed issues concerning implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, including Special Category Status, besides the drought situation and problems faced by farmers.

The PAC resolved to hold meetings once every three months and it was also decided to prepare a panel of senior Congress leaders who would take turns to conduct daily briefings at the PCC office.

Congress Working Committee (CWC) member N. Raghuveera Reddy, former Minister and CWC member Koppula Raju, former Union Ministers J.D. Seelam and Pallam Raju, former MLA and APCC working president Mastan Vali, APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji, former Minister Killi Krupa Rani, AICC observer Palak Varma and others were present.