Thaindian News

Hyderabad, May 27 (IANS) A showdown between supporters and opponents of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy appears inevitable as the Congress MP is determined to go ahead with his planned ‘odarpu’ yatra in Telangana region.
The industrialist-turned-politician is set to arrive in Warangal district Friday amid threats by Telangana activists to stop his yatra “at any cost”.

The Kadapa MP is visiting the district as part of his state-wide yatra to console family members of those who died of shock or committed suicide following the death of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash last year.

Alleging that the yatra is aimed at campaigning against the movement for separate statehood to Telangana, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Telangana Rashtra Samiti and other pro-Telangana groups have decided to stop his tour.

Leaders of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and BJP have also announced their plans to stall the yatra. A section of pro-Telangana leaders within the ruling Congress party are also opposed to the yatra and they have appealed to party president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi to stop Jagan.

Jagan has termed as unfair objections to his yatra on political grounds. “There were no political statements nor any issue was politicised by me,” he said in a statement.

As a face-off appeared certain, police have made elaborate security arrangements at Mahabubabad in Warangal district where Jagan is set to begin his tour. Director General of Police Girish Kumar said the police would provide necessary security.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Thursday refused to comment on Jagan’s yatra and said he had not approached the government for permission for the same. “Police will take all necessary measures to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident,” the chief minister told reporters here, hinting that Jagan’s yatra would not be stopped.

As the yatra threatens to create law and order problems, Rosaiah met state Congress president D. Srinivas and also held a meeting with state ministers to discuss the situation and the options available to the government.

Like his father, Jagan is also opposed to the demand for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He along with other MPs from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions had voiced their opposition to the demand for Telangana state in Lok Sabha.