Five Andhra legislators threaten to quit over Jagan issue
September 29th, 2009 - 9:34 pm ICT by IANS ( 1 comment )
Hyderabad, Sep 29 (IANS) Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy’s supporters in Andhra Pradesh’s ruling Congress appear to be heading for a confrontation with the party’s central leadership as five legislators Tuesday threatened to quit if the son of the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was not made the state’s chief minister.
The legislators from Kadapa district Tuesday set a three-day deadline for convening a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to elect a new leader.
The legislators threatened to quit if the CLP meeting was not convened to enable legislators to elect Jaganmohan Reddy as their leader.
The first open threat came in the backdrop of increasing restlessness among Jagan loyalists over the continuing silence of the central leadership over the demand for making him the chief minister.
C. Adinarayana Reddy, K. Sreenivasulu, P.M. Kamalamma, G. Srikanth Reddy and A. Amarnath Redy, who hail from YSR’s native district of Kadapa, gave the ultimatum to the central leadership.
The Jagan supporters also stalled the general body meeting of the Kadapa Zila Parishad. The five legislators and YSR’s younger brother and member of legislative council Y.S. Viveknanda Reddy also squatted in the zila parishad premises in solidarity with the protestors.
Already, the campaign to anoint 37-year-old Jagan, a first-time MP from Kadapa, as YSR’s political successor had turned violent in some districts, causing major embarrassment to the party.
Jagan’s supporters had recently attacked the party office at Khammam and tore down posters carrying the pictures of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, evoking strong reaction from the party’s senior leaders.
Meanwhile, irked over “non-cooperation” by several ministers who are associated with the Jagan camp, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who took over a day after YSR died in a helicopter crash on Sep 2, said those who did not want to work with him can resign.
“I was asked by the high command to take over as CM and I will continue in the position as long as the leadership wants me. If anyone wants to resign, they are free to do so,” said the 77-year-old chief minister.
His remark came against the backdrop of statements by some ministers that they wanted Jagan to be the chief minister.
The reaction from Jagan camp was instant. K. Surekha, a first time minister, said she would resign from the cabinet if Jagan was not made the chief minister. Another minister, K. Venkat Reddy, said it was the desire of an overwhelming majority of party legislators and the general public that Jagan be made the chief minister.
- 29 Andhra legislators loyal to Jagan to resign - Aug 21, 2011
- MP loyal to Jagan quits, another to follow suit - Aug 24, 2011
- Jagan formally launches YSR Congress Party - Mar 12, 2011
- Jagan, mother face namesakes in bypolls - Apr 17, 2011
- Tributes paid to YSR on second death anniversary - Sep 02, 2011
- Two MPs, 27 Andhra legislators loyal to Jagan to resign (Lead) - Aug 21, 2011
- Campaigning ends for Kadapa by-elections - May 06, 2011
- Jaganmohan files nomination for Kadapa Lok Sabha bypoll - Apr 15, 2011
- Jagan proves he is real successor of YSR's legacy - May 13, 2011
- Jagan announces Y.S.R. Congress Party - Mar 11, 2011
- Jagan cancels visit to Delhi, may quit as MP - Nov 29, 2010
- Jagan quits Congress with mother, also resigns as MP (Lead) - Nov 29, 2010
- YSR's son, widow win by-elections by record margins (Third Lead) - May 13, 2011
- YSR's widow, brother file nominations for bypolls - Apr 16, 2011
- I want to follow Jaganmohan Reddy: Congress legislator - Jan 11, 2011
Tags: andhra pradesh, camp chief, central leadership, chief minister, congress legislature party, congress president sonia gandhi, embarrassment, helicopter crash, jagan, khammam, legislative council, legislators, loyalists, pictures of congress, protestors, redy, restlessness, srikanth reddy, strong reaction, zila parishad
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
To
Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, Honorable President,
All India Congress Committee,
New Delhi
Respected Madam,
YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who has emerged as one of the main contenders for the chief ministership after his father and late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s death the party high command, cannot completely ignore the fact that Jagan has the support of most party legislators. it will also have to accommodate the feelings and sentiments of other castes, specially the BCs whose support is crucial in the long-term perspective for the party.
The general perception amongst the people in Andhra Pradesh is that Mr. Jagan can fill the void and with the support of senior leaders and blessings of the high command, will be able to steer the party and the government out of the present desolation. The MPs positive approach, youthfulness and the legacy of his father will, undoubtedly be an asset to the congress and the government, at this critical juncture, it is essential for the incumbent to continue the welfare programmes with zeal and enthusiasm, as promised in the congress manifesto under the leadership of Ms Gandhi. “ This makes it clear that there is no better choice than Jagan and the congress leadership will have to accept this today or tomorrow,”
Keeping all this in mind, it is expected that the party leadership would weigh the popularity of, Jagan, as any kind of adventurism and experiment at this point of time may adversely affect the prospects of the ruling congress party.
I hope that AICC president Sonia Gandhi will do justice and will honor the sentiments of the people in such a way that Dr Rajasekhara Reddy’s ideals, mission and zeal would not be compromised in any manner by deciding YS Jaganmohan Reddy the next chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Place: Nizamabad Sanjeev Kumar Sahani
Date: 02-OCT- 2009 Ex-State Organising Secretary, Sevadal.