Kumudben Joshi resumes charge PEA chairperson

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 19. Ending a week-long suspense over her continuance as the Pradesh Election Authtority (PEA) chairperson, Ms Kumudben Joshi resumed duties at Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress headquarters, here on Thursday.

She was greeted among others by the APCC-I president, Mr.M.Satyanarayana Rao, who described the reported rift between the two leaders as "a family affair". Disputes in a family were normal and the Congress(I) was a big family, Mr.Rao said as Ms Joshi nodded in approval, sporting a smile.

Every Congress leader would have to abide by the wishes of the party high command, she said implying that she relented on her resignation at the behest of the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. She met about half a dozen District Returning Officers and reviewed the progress of the block level elections.

Ms Joshi left the city in a huff a week ago protesting against some harsh words reportedly used by Mr.Rao against her in connection with the appointment of the District Returning Officers (DRO). The PCC (I) president has since denied having snubbed the PEA chairperson.

Mr.Satyanarayana Rao had to face yet another predicament following inquiries from Delhi over his reported remark that the humiliation of T.Anjaiah by Rajiv Gandhi led to the downfall of the Congress (I) in Andhra Pradesh.

At a press conference, Mr.Rao denied having made the observation at a meeting marking the 14th death anniversary of Anjaiah in the city. He said he did not utter the remarks attributed to him. He had only recalled his opposition to the unceremonious manner Anjaiah was unseated and its repercussions in the State. He had in fact pointed out that Anjaiah was rewarded by Rajiv Gandhi with the post of AICC-I general secretary. His statement was twisted, he alleged. A conspiracy is being hatched to dislodge him but he was not afraid, he charged.

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