Nizamabad: Chief Minister and TPCC president A Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that former PCC president D Srinivas played a vital role in the formation of the separate Telangana state. Being a close confidant of the ‘Gandhi’ family, Srinivas took the initiative for the new state, he said in a tribute to the late leader at his residence at Pragathi Nagar here.Former AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also expressed their grief over the death of Srinivas and conveyed their condolences. The CM said the state government will take up steps for erecting a memorial for him after consulting with his family members.Revanth Reddy flew in here by helicopter and consoled the family members over Srinivas’ demise. Speaking to the media, Revanth Reddy said Srinivas was known as a staunch follower of Indira Gandhi and later Sonia Gandhi. Srinivas played a key role in bringing the Congress party to power in the 2004 and 2009 assembly elections. In the 2004 general elections, Srinivas succeeded in explaining the need for formation of the separate Telangana state to Sonia Gandhi, he noted.The CM said Srinivas left the Congress party due to unavoidable situations and later he rejoined it. “Srinivas clearly told me that he did not aspire to have any post in the Congress, while rejoining,” Revanth Reddy said.“Srinivas simply expected that the Congress party flag will be laid on his body after his last breath, and we fulfilled it,” he said.“Srinivas encouraged second rung leaders and due to his support, Backward Class leaders from Nizamabad district were elevated as MPs and MLAs, he said. Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, advisers to the state government Mohammad Ali Shabbir, Vem Narender Reddy, MLCs T Jeevan Reddy, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, MLA P Sudarshan Reddy, former minister Mandava Venkateshwar Rao and others were present.
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