Hyderabad, August 29: Is the BJP trying to get closer to Jagan Mohan Reddy? Or will Jagan himself seek political asylum in the BJP-led NDA to save himself from the CBI probe? These questions are doing the rounds in the political circles of Andhra Pradesh after the BJP leader and Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj surprisingly mentioned about Jagan during her speech on Lokpal Bill.
While accusing the Congress of misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation against its political rivals, Sushma Swaraj on Saturday stated in the Lok Sabha, “the most recent case is that of Jagan Mohan Reddy who was clean till he was in the Congress but facing raids after raids by the CBI now.” This liner has created a political storm in the Congress circles. Senior leaders believe that with her single-liner statement, Sushma Swaraj has indicated that her party might support Jagan Mohan Reddy by projecting himself as a victim of Congress’ political vengeance.
Fomer minister and senior Congress leader JC Diwakar Reddy on Sunday told reporters at Anantapur that the BJP was trying to get closer to Jagan. In order to spread its reach and influence in Andhra Pradesh, the BJP might use Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party YSR Congress Party as tools. He wondered as to how the BJP could support a person who is facing a CBI enquiry for allegedly amassing illegal wealth.
However, the local BJP leaders are maintaining a denial mode. Former union minister Bandaru Dattatreyya on Sunday denied reports that his party was supporting Jagan or trying to get closer to him. But Dattatreyya criticised the CBI for functioning as a tool into the hands of the ruling Congress party. It may be noted that none of the senior BJP leaders made strong comments against Jagan Mohan Reddy after the CBI started its enquiry.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has been trying hard for one decade to strengthen its electoral base in Andhra Pradesh. When the NDA was in power, the BJP had electoral tie ups with the Telugu Desam Party. By supporting Telangana it tried to get closer to the TRS and other regional parties. However, the BJP could not make an impact at the State level. Apparently to expand its base, the analysts say, that the BJP might support Jagan Mohan Reddy. Though the BJP might not get any immediate benefits, but it will be able to create another powerful anti-Congress front in the State.
——-Agencies