Hyderabad/IBNS: Anumula Revanth Reddy, who is credited for leading the Congress to a massive victory in Telangana, was formally picked as the chief of its Legislature Party on Tuesday evening.
With this announcement, all raods are cleared for him to become the states next Chief Minister.
The oath ceremony will be held on Thursday, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal said at a press conference.
The decision was taken this evening at a meeting of senior leaders led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Telangana Congress in-charge Manikrao Thakre.
Congress President Shri @kharge has decided to go with Revanth Reddy as the new CLP of the Telangana Legislative Party.
The Congress will deliver a clean and able government that will provide maximum governance.
: Shri @kcvenugopalmp, General Secretary (Organisation) pic.twitter.com/njFUduUFsb
Congress (@INCIndia) December 5, 2023
The announcement put an end to the uncertainty and speculation that spiralled since the party won the Telangana Assembly polls following the counting of votes on Sunday.
Over the last two days, a section of state Congress leaders, aspirants to the top job, have been putting up stiff opposition to his candidature.
At least two possible candidates were in the queue for the post including Dalit leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and N Uttam Kumar Reddy, a seven-time MLA and ex-Air Force pilot who was the Congress state chief till Revanth Reddy took over.
Earlier in the day, Uttam Reddy declared that he is in the running for the Chief Ministers post.
Reddy already has the support of 42 of the partys 64 MLAs. But given the slim majority of the Congress, a walkout by even five MLAs could pull down the government.
Reddy, 54, has been credited with leading the Congress to victory in the countrys newest state, which has been consistently voting for K Chandrasekhar Raos Bharat Rashtra Samithi since its formation in 2014.
Reddy joined the Congress from Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party six years ago. Since he was appointed the state unit chief two years ago, he has been leading from the front, increasing the partys visibility and engagement with the voters.
