‘CM’ Geeta raises brows

The tourism minister, Ms J. Geeta Reddy’s urgent trip to Delhi on Wednesday triggered intense speculation in political corridors that she might be elevated to the post of Chief Minister or deputy Chief Minister soon.

Interestingly, the frenetic discussion on another succession saga was triggered in Congress circles on the eve of the death anniversary of the late Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.

Ms Geeta Reddy being summoned to Delhi when the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, was confined to his bed because of viral fever added spice to discussions.

However, the minister said from Delhi that the PCC chief, Mr D. Srinivas, had asked her to fly in immediately in order to sign the set of nomination papers from the state unit of the party proposing Ms Sonia Gandhi as Congress president.

“I came here since I was asked by the PCC president and nothing more should be read into it,” she said. “I will be in Delhi till Thursday afternoon and will reach the state capital by tomorrow evening to participate in the death anniversary observance of YSR.”