Hyderabad, March 19: The road ahead for former MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is set to launch his own party, the YSR Congress, with the sole intention of capturing power in 2014, appears bumpy, if the results of MLC elections by MLAs are anything to go by.
The late YSR’s son, facing allegations of amassing wealth through questionable means, is in a tricky situation with his plans of embarrassing the government falling flat. His supporters, sources said, were concerned about the signals the MLC polls might have sent to the electorate in Kadapa, where by-polls for both Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies, are due.
The election proved that he cannot count on more than 10 MLAs of the 20-odd legislators in his camp. The legislators, notwithstanding the “respect” they have for him, cannot be relied upon at the time of reckoning.
In the MLC elections, Jagan wanted to defeat Mohammad Jani (Cong) to whom all his loyalist MLAs (27) were assigned to vote. It was after all an opportunity to settle political scores with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and embarrass the Congress leadership. He also sought to send a message that he was not down and out and that he would continue to be a thorn in the Congress flesh.
But his plans backfired and adding insult to injury, Kiran walked away with more than he had bargained for — he secured the victory of six candidates (four of the Congress and two of his allies) and managed to win an extra candidate – M Ranga Reddy – who happens to be close to him.
The results have infused strength into the Congress and its leaders are already baring their fangs. Kiran in a “you are with us or against us” fashion, identified his “friends” and “foes.” Jagan’s arch rival and Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy was quick in condemning cross-voting by Jagan loyalists. “This is a serious instance of indiscipline. Action should be taken against the erring MLAs,” he demanded.
Their words implied what is in store for Jagan loyalist MLAs. A few hours after conferring with Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday, PCC president D Srinivas suspended several former MLAs and leaders loyal to Jagan from the party in East Godavari district where MLC election from the local authority constituency is due on Monday. “We have take a serious view of cross-voting and at an appropriate time, action would be taken against the black sheep,” Srinivas said.
Already, the Central leadership of the party is waiting for an opportunity to cut Jagan to size. The attack day in day out by the TDP is a welcome development for the party which does not have to look no farther than the TDP to act against Jagan.
A delegation of TDP MPs led by the party’s parliamentary party leader Nama Nageswara Rao met the Prime Minister the other day and sought action against the former MP citing the notice served on him by the Income Tax department. Taking the cue, the Prime Minister reportedly assured the delegation that he would entrust it to the Enforcement Directorate of the department to nail Jagan.
As if this was not enough, the TDP has already filed a petition in the High Court seeking a pronouncement against the inaction of the State government in proceeding against Jagan though there was ample proof that he had violated the Money Laundering Act and was also punishable under the anti-corruption laws. The case is yet to come up for hearing.
This is not all. Another petition filed by Minister for Textiles P Shankara Rao against his alleged “dubious” role in allotment of lands to EMAAR Properties is also set to turn the heat on the young leader.
—Agencies