Jagan to float his party soon

HYDERABAD - Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who recently resigned from the Congress and as MP, will soon launch his new party, his close aide announced Thursday.

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, the aide said.

Ambati Rambabu, who acts as spokesman for Jagan, told reporters outside Jagan’s residence that Jagan himself would make the announcement. “He will definitely form a new party soon but I can’t say when,” he said.

Rambabu said the leader would discuss the name, agenda and other details of the proposed party with his supporters before making an announcement.

Hectic activity began Thursday in Jagan camp amid indications of a rebellion by many ministers and legislators against newly installed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Rambabu, however, made it clear that Jagan had no plans to bring down the government. “Our goal is next elections and to make the new party a strong force,” he said.

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.

The Jagan camp claims to have the support of over 30 legislators.