Senior Congress leader and MP candidate from Mahabubnagar Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy has declared that he was ready for a debate over BJP leader and former Minister D.K. Aruna’s comments labelling him as a non-local candidate.
Addressing a press conference at the DCC office in Mahabubnagar on Saturday, he said that he has utmost respect for women and does not wish to bring personal life into politics. He condemned Ms. Aruna’s remarks, asserting that she had claimed credit for his past victory as MLA from Kalwakurthy.
Mr. Reddy clarified that Ms. Aruna received her ticket solely on his recommendation as a member of the Pradesh Congress Election Committee in 2009. He highlighted his victory in 2014 despite Ms. Aruna’s attempts to defeat him, crediting the people of Kalvakurthy for their support.
Mr. Reddy underscored his seniority within the Congress party, noting that his AICC membership in 2006 compared to Ms. Aruna’s in 2014, and his role as the secretary of AICC at the national level. Ms. Aruna served as vice-president of the PCC only in the State, he said and accused her of engaging in opportunistic politics.