Congress Picks Revanth Reddy As Chief Minister Of Telangana

New Delhi: It’s final. The Congress has picked Anumula Revanth Reddy as the chief of its Legislature Party and cleared the decks for him to be the state’s 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 today evening at a meeting of senior leaders led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Telangana Congress in-charge Manikrao Thakre were present at the meeting.

The announcement put an end to the uncertainty and speculation that mushroomed since the party was declared the winner after the counting of votes on Sunday.

There has been stiff opposition by a section of the state Congress leaders to his candidature in the past two days with at least two possible candidates in queue for the post: 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 today, Uttam Reddy declared that he is in the running for the Chief Minister’s post.

But earlier this evening, Rahul Gandhi declared that the decision “has been taken,” and named Revanth Reddy, who is currently on his way to Delhi.