Hyderabad, Sept.12 (NSS): Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee ( TPCC) President Mahesh Kumar Goud has defended the State government’s decision to appoint BRS defected MLA Arekapudi Gandhi as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Telangana legislature.
The newly appointed TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud called on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in New Delhi on Thursday.
On the occasion speaking to the media, Mahesh Kumar clarified that the tradition of appointing an opposition member as chairman of PAC was followed and stated that technically, Arekapudi Gandhi was a member of BRS, and according to regulations, he was appointed as the PAC Chairman.
He stated that the State Cabinet expansion is in the hands of the Chief Minister and other senior party leaders and as a PCC president, he will not have any role in the cabinet expansion.
“Every time a new PCC President is appointed, new committees are formed. We will discuss and decide on the formation of new committees with senior AICC leaders. We will ensure that backward classes are given priority in these committees,” Mahesh Kumar Goud said.
 “I have called on the AICC president to seek his blessings. Kharge is a veteran leader with extensive political experience. He advised us to strengthen the Congress party by including all sections of society. We will empower the party from the grassroots level, ensuring every worker feels included. Our goal is to secure more seats in the upcoming elections and work towards a stronger party,” he said.
Emphasising the Congress party’s larger ambitions, Mahesh Kumar Goud said, “Our ultimate goal is to see Rahul Gandhi become the Prime Minister, and we are taking steps toward this. The party and the government must move forward in coordination. While we respect the High Court’s decision on party defections, we are exploring legal alternatives. We will adhere to constitutional provisions regarding party shifts. Several leaders have joined us after seeing our governance and policies, and the opposition is not in a position to fulfill its role,”.
On the issue of BRS MLAs joining the Congress party, he commented, “In the parliamentary elections, the people gave BRS zero seats, showing their lack of faith in the party’s leadership. This is why BRS leaders are looking toward us. Regarding MLA defections, I don’t foresee any by-elections. But even if they happen, the results will favor us,”.
