Congress is ready for any election: Kiran Reddy

NEW DELHI: Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has expressed his party’s readiness to face by-elections, if inevitable, following the resignation of pro-Jagan MLAs.Speaking to newsmen in New Delhi on Tuesday, he said the Congress was absolutely ready to contest any election _ by-elections to the Assembly or local body elections _ as it enjoyed people’s support.With regard to the resignation of MLAs, he said the Assembly speaker would take a decision and exuded confidence that his government would remain in power till 2014 as it had the support of 183 MLAs including those of allies.Reddy said the CBI was investigating into the investments made into the companies owned by Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on the orders of High Court.Reiterating that former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had remained a Congress leader throughout his life, Kiran Kumar Reddy said there was no doubt about it.“The investigation is only into the investments into the companies of Jagan Mohan Reddy.As per my knowledge, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s involvement was not mentioned in the case and it would not be correct to speak about it further as the matter is sub judice.”  When asked about whether the state government would initiate action against the officers involved in the Jagan’ assets case, the chief minister said that the government’s action would depend on on the outcome of the CBI investigation.He appealed to people not to jump to conclusions as it would be too early to take a decision without the court delivering its verdict. The chief minister had a busy day in New Delhi meeting Union ministers P Chidambaram, S Jaipal Reddy, CP Joshi, Jairam Ramesh and Jayanti Natarajan.He took up various issues pertaining to the state with the Union ministers and requested them to approve the proposals at the earliest. He wanted the Central government to provide Rs 100 crore as a deposit to support the state government in establishing a Rs 1,000- crore cooperative society for providing loans to women’s self-help groups.Kiran sought two more batallions of paramilitary, six lakh LPG connections under the Deepam scheme, funds for developmental activities in the left wing extremism affected districts, funds for construction of warehouses, release of funds for roads under Prime Minister Grama Sadak Yojana and permission to export red sanders.He also wanted clearances for the Polavaram, Pranahita-Chevella and Palar irrigation projects.