Jagan Tightens Grip On Congress

As many as 27 Congress legislators are believed to have joined the 'Jal Deeksha' of Kadapa rebel leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy who has started a hunger strike on Tuesday in New Delhi to protest the injustice meted out to Andhra Pradesh by the Krishna Waters Tribunal verdict.

2 other legislators from the Telugu Desam Party and 2 from the Praja Rajyam Party also joined Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's hunger strike camp which seems to have upset the Kiran Reddy government, as the Chief Minister was believed to have reviewed the situation with some ministers in his office at the Secretariat.

Despite the Congress High Command's direction and the Chief Minister's persuasive communication to them, the legislators have accompanied Jagan, and are part and parcel of 'Deeksha' in New Delhi, disregarding the presence of the High Command there.

Except 15 ministers present in the Secretariat, others are said to have been away on some errand. However, a minister has expressed confidence that there was no 'threat' to their government.

Though they were outwardly appearing to have conveyed that a 'toppling' is ruled out, the visible expression gave a room to comprehend that something is amiiss behind the scenes.

Apart from 31 MLAs, 3 MLCs are also in Jagan's camp as on date.

Tribal Welfare Minister Pasupuleti Balaraju, Social Welfare Minister Pithani Satyanarayana and Minority Welfare Minister Syed Ahmedullah were among those who met the Chief Minister.

Medical and Health Services Minister D L Ravindra Reddy, accompanied by Minorities Welfare and Wakf Minister Syed Ahmedullah, also met the Chief Minister in his office, and held parleys with him.

Ravindra Reddy said that he had been challenged by Kadapa MLA Amarnath Reddy to resign from the Assembly seat.

The minister replied that he would abide by the MLA's challenge to quit the post on the condition that 5 other MLAs from the region should also quit along with him to seek re-election.

Courtesy: INN