Hyderabad: The much-awaited decision on the leadership of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) was settled on Friday night with AICC president, Rahul Gandhi selecting Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. The newly-appointed CLP leader represents Madhira constituency of Khammam district and was earlier anointed chairman of the publicity committee of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) during the 2018 assembly polls.

In picking Bhatti, who belongs to the SC community, for this coveted post in Congress circles of Telangana, Rahul Gandhi has also sent a powerful message on social justice and empowerment of the weaker sections. Moreover, it is a convention in the party to appoint the chairman of the publicity committee as CLP leader after elections get over.

This time around there was considerable jostling among Congress leaders aiming for the CLP leader's post. Among those who threw their hat in the ring are Uttam Kumar Reddy, Sabitha Indra Reddy, Sridhar Babu and Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy. After scrutinising their claims thoroughly, the AICC leadership is said to have zeroed in on Bhatti.

Another important factor which swung the leadership's decision in Bhatti's favour is the success of the Congress party in Bhatti's Khammam district. 47 year-old Bhatti had earlier worked as a nominated Director on the board of Andhra Bank, PCC working committee member, and general secretary of the party. He was elected from Madhira constituency in 2009, 2014 and once again December 2018.

Bhatti was appointed government chief whip in 2009 and was later made the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly in 2014. The following year, he was appointed as the working president of the Congress party in the state. Bhatti, a civil services aspirant who wanted to join the IAS, made it to the interview stage. As fate decreed, he became a grassroots politician and brings rich experience of three decades with him to the job.

Expressing his gratitude to AICC president Rahul Gandhi, Bhatti stated that he would strive to justify the confidence reposed in him. He added that he would endeavour to strengthen the party in Telangana. Bhatti asserted that he would highlight people's problems in the Telangana assembly on behalf of the Congress party.

Also Read: Infighting In TRS Behind Early Election: Congress