Jaganmohan loyalists chalk out their strategy

HYDERABAD - The loyalists of rebel Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Wednesday went into a huddle to chalk out their strategy following the resignation of party leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah.

The legislators loyal to the Kadapa MP met here soon after Rosaiah resigned on the plea that he was unable to withstand the work-pressure because of his age.

The development came close on the heels of “Sakshi” TV channel owned by Jagan airing a controversial programme, bitterly criticising party president Sonia Gandhi.

The meeting, attended by over a dozen legislators loyal to Jagan, discussed the strategy to be adopted at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting scheduled to be held to elect a new leader, said sources close to Jagan.

The young MP was not present at the meeting as he was in Bangalore. Sources said he was rushing back to Hyderabad in view of the changing political situation.

“Sakshi” management has already denied the allegations that the programme it telecast last week was anti-Sonia. Jagan’s loyalists have termed the allegations as a conspiracy to expel him from the party.

Jagan is the son of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash last year. Jagan has been rebelling against the party chief ever since Rosaiah was made chief minister following his father’s death.