Discontent with government sparks hectic activity in Jagan camp

HYDERABAD - Hectic activity began Thursday in the camp of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who recently resigned from the Congress and as MP, amid indications of a rebellion by many ministers and legislators against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Jagan, as the son of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is popularly known, was holding consultations with his close followers to float a new political party.

Sources close to Jagan, who represented Kadapa in parliament, said he was keenly watching the developments following the resignation of a minister unhappy over the portfolio given to him.

At least 10 other ministers are also reported to be unhappy. So are Congress party leaders from Telangana for Kiran Kumar not naming a deputy chief minister despite the central leadership’s announcement.

Some former ministers who were dropped by Kiran Kumar and a few legislators who were not inducted also have openly expressed their resentment.

Jagan began consultations with his camp followers soon after his return from Kadapa Thursday morning. A large number of his supporters gathered outside his residence in the posh Banjara Hills.

Former ministers and legislators P. Subhash Chandra Bose and Konda Surekha, legislators Mekapati Chandrasekhara Reddy, Kamalamma, D. Chandrasekhara Reddy, former MP Bhumanagi Reddy, former Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and actress Roja called on Jagan.

Jagan, who quit the Congress party and parliament Monday alleging conspiracy of the leadership to divide his family by luring away his uncle Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy with a ministerial post, is likely to announce his future course of action in a couple of days.

His supporters, many of whom he met in Kadapa over the last two days, indicated that he would announce a new party at a massive public meeting between Vijayawada and Guntur.

Ambati Rambabu, a close aide of Jagan, said the leader would discuss the name, agenda and other details of the proposed party with his supporters before taking a final decision.

The Jagan camp claims to have the support of over 30 legislators. His followers, however, say that he was not planning to bring down the government.

“He told us that he does not want to bring down the Congress government because his father worked hard to bring it to power. He wants to float a new party, build and strengthen it to fight the next elections,” one of his followers said.