package python-renderpm:amd64 3.3.0-1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[lakshmi narayana]

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ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: python-renderpm:amd64 3.3.0-1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-116.140-generic 4.4.98
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-116-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.15
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Mar 29 15:26:01 2018
DuplicateSignature:
 package:python-renderpm:amd64:3.3.0-1
 Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.15-0ubuntu1) ...
 dpkg: error processing package python-renderpm:amd64 (--configure):
  package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-03-08 (20 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04.5 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20160803)
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.18.4ubuntu1.4
 apt 1.2.26
SourcePackage: python-reportlab
Title: package python-renderpm:amd64 3.3.0-1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to xenial on 2018-03-13 (16 days ago)