Congress makes efforts to form government in Andhra

As the elections are likely to be held in undivided Andhra Pradesh, the party is keen to have a leader acceptable to both the regions.

Kiran Reddy resigned as chief minister Feb 19, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the bill for formation of a separate Telangana state. He also quit the Congress party.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, who accepted Kiran Reddy's resignation, asked him to continue as the caretaker chief minister.

Many party leaders feel that as only a handful of legislators are likely to join a new political party proposed to be floated by Kiran Reddy, it would not be difficult to form a new government with the help of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

Central minister K. Chiranjeevi, state ministers Kanna Lakshimnarayana, Anam Ramnarayana Reddy and Raghuveera Reddy are seen as strong contenders from Seemandhra for the chief minister's post.

From Telangana, names of Damodar Rajanarasimha, central minister S. Jaipal Reddy, state minister Jana Reddy and former state party chief D. Srinivas are doing the rounds.