Congress is worried that byelections to 17 seats held by rebels aligned with Jaganmohan Reddy could spell trouble for its embattled government in Andhra Pradesh, driving party managers to try shore up its defence.
Jaganmohan is likely to go all out in the byelections necessitated by the disqualification of 17 Congress and PRP MLAs who supported a no-trust motion in December. Most of them hail from Jagan’s coastal stronghold. The recent Congress wipeout in six seats in Telangana has set demoralisation in party ranks and hopes are not high from bypolls to be held by August.
Sources fear a repeat failure would put Congress in tailspin, buffeted as it is between a hostile Telangana sentiment and Jagan’s charge in coastal and Rayalaseema.
The concern is that a slip in 17 seats may not leave much hope for Kiran Kumar Reddy regime. A party leader said Jagan’s success would entice fencesitters in Congress to jump the ship. Depending on their numbers, it could put the state government in danger.
While Congress survived in December with PRP’s support, it may not have much margin in case of another rebellion. PRP of Chiranjeevi has since merged with Congress.
Leaders are banking on graft-related troubles of YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s son which they feel could make him amenable to Congress’s suggestions like not to topple the party regime. Cases have piled up against his alleged partners like Reddy brothers and now a chargesheet against him for disproportionate assets. However, the young Kadapa MP is not seen ready for concessions under pressure.
Partymen are critical of CM Reddy’s actions after he was installed with fanfare following Rosaiah’s ineffectual tenure. While he is seen to have failed to take Telangana along, he has not been able to deliver much on Coastal region and Reddy front either. A chunk of Reddy community across state seems tilted towards YSR’s scion, which sources said requires a radical shift in Congress’s social focus.
The Telangana MPs complained against the CM to party incharge Ghulam Nabi Azad during parliament session.
Most leaders are downcast about future bypolls. A union minister said Congress was faltering because of inaction in countering Jagan’s campaign. “While he is claiming his father YSR brought welfare schemes, we have to counter it by saying his father was following Congress policies. I don’t understand our tactics of keeping quiet,” the minister said.
Given the high stake game, the polls would put Congress faith in Chiranjeevi to test. His appeal among youngsters and the Kapu community, having won 18% votes in 2009 polls, has raised optimism in the ruling party and encouraged it for merger. However, there are doubts about his ability to win votes as part of Congress.
-Agencies