Hyderabad, December 04: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has not yet made up his mind on what line he should take on the Telangana issue which has to be spelt out in clear terms at the time of announcing his political party.
His supporters in Telangana region are bringing pressure on him to take a pro-Telangana stand and are confidant that he will oblige them. But the million dollar question is: Would he, given the opposition to bifurcation of the state in Andhra and Rayalaseema districts? According to a Telangana supporter of Jagan, his leader is not averse to bifurcation. “I have raised the issue. Jagan Mohan Reddy said he would not mind if the state is split. In such an event, Jagan’s party will acquire the character of a national party,” he said.
Sources said Jagan is awaiting the Srikrishna Committee report and that is why he deferred his party launch till Sankranti. No matter which way the report goes, he will use it to his advantage. “We will make our leader announce a policy that will be welcomed by people in both Telangana and Seema- Andhra. I cannot say how he can do that at this stage,” former minister and Jagan’s supporter K Surekha said.
Some Jagan supporters, however, said he might adopt a pro- Telangana stand and not follow it up, like what TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was doing. He would concentrate mostly in Seema-Andhra areas where he would have enough ground.
At present, Jagan is keen on mobilising support from important leaders in the Congress.
He is said to have enlisted the support of more than 15 MLAs in the Congress and already has some PRP MLAs in his kitty.
The latest addition to his list from the Congress is Panyam MLA Katasani Rambhoompal Reddy who met him today at his residence here. Former PRP leader Chegondi Harirama Jogaiah and actor Vijayachand also called on him. Though Ramboopal Reddy said he visited Jagan only to invite him to his daughter’s wedding, it is believed that he is joining forces with him since he is seething with rage over his non-inclusion in the state cabinet.
Jagan could depend on Allagadda PRP MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy and her husband Bhuma Nagireddy for support as they had given their daughter in marriage to Jagan’s maternal uncle Ravindranath Reddy’s son recently.
Banganapalli PRP MLA K Ram Reddy, a known follower of Bhuma family, might also follow in the footsteps of the leaders.
Jagan loyalists are happy that the cabinet has 14 Reddys which, according to them, is an acknowledgement by the Congress that their leader is a formidable foe for them to deal with.
–Agencies