Ponnala Lakshmaiah quits Congress ahead of Telangana assembly election

In a setback to the Telangana Congress ahead of Assembly elections, former PCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah sent a letter to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge resigning from the party citing an “unjust environment”. In his letter, Ponnala alleged that when a group of 50 BC leaders from Telangana went to Delhi to request prioritization for the backward classes, they were denied a meeting with AICC leaders. This incident is deemed an embarrassment for the state, which takes pride in its self-respect.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to discontinue my association with the party. I have reached a point where I feel that I can no longer thrive in such an unjust environment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported me in my various party roles over the years,” he said in the letter that was posted on a WhatsApp group to which he belongs. Despite repeated attempts, Lakshmaiah, a former minister in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, could not be reached for comments. His resignation from the party comes as a setback for the Congress which is gearing up to announce its list of candidates for the November 30 assembly polls.