HYDERABAD: The new chief of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Botcha Satyanarayana appears to have got down to his business in right earnest. A day after he returned from Delhi, Botcha was busy throughout Wednesday receiving a host of ministers, legislators and party functionaries from across the state.Interestingly, a good number of legislators belonging to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) too telephoned Botcha to congratulate him on his new assignment. “Remain your usual self. Be bold and aggressive,” was a suggestion that came from a senior TRS leader and Botcha promised to be so.Among the visitors were at least five/six legislators owing allegiance to YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. They wanted the PCC chief to understand the reasons for their loyalty to the young MP and set right the affairs. The son of another Jagan loyalist MLA came to request Botcha to speak to his father so that he could return to the party-fold.The change in mood among Congressmen was palpable as they hoped that the new party president would lend them his ears as part of his efforts to revitalise a party that was rapidly going on a downward spiral. “I did not visualise that the expectation from me will be so much. It only enhances the responsibility that I have to shoulder. But, I will do my best,” Botcha told Express in an interview that was interrupted by the courtesy calls of several important leaders.Later in the evening, Botcha had a lengthy meeting with Chiranjeevi along with some ministers where they broadly discussed the way forward. Botcha and Chiranjeevi enjoy a good rapport and the Congress seems to be hoping that together, they would help consolidate the BC vote in its favour. The immediate programme, of course, is the formal taking over of the PCC reins by Botcha which is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 11. There was, however, not much pomp at Botcha’s residence which is part of the ministers’ quarters.There were just a couple of banners outside his residence.In what could be termed as an indicator to his approach, the PCC chief said he was not hurt by Telangana leader V Hanumanth Rao’s criticism of his appointment. “He is a senior leader. I will call him up this evening,” he said.
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