Bent upon claiming the political legacy of his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), 38-year-old Congress MP from Kadapa, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, is all set to defy the party diktat and resume his controversial 'Odarpu Yatra' (consolation tour) from Friday.
Though Reddy continues to maintain that the yatra is his personal programme for consoling the families of those who died of shock or committed suicide following YSR’s death a year before, its political overtones reveals his chief ministerial ambitions. The previous rounds of the yatra were termed as a show of his strength and the party leadership sees it as a campaign against Chief Minister K Rosaiah.
After repeated warnings against joining the yatra fell on deaf ears, the Congress state leadership cracked the whip by suspending Reddy’s close aide and state Congress general secretary, Ambati Rambabu. They have also issued a show-cause notice to Konda Surekha, MLA and former minister, for indulging in anti-party activities.
A couple of days ago, the party leadership announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of those who committed suicide following Y S R’s death.
According to Congress sources, the compensation offer was the last opportunity given to Reddy to end the bitter stand-off between him and the party high command. Some of those who were loyal to YSR and his son, too expressed the feeling that Reddy should tow the party line.
Reddy, however, asserted the he would go ahead with his yatra because mere financial assistance was not enough to mitigate the plight of the bereaved families. “According to the tradition, it is essential to meet the members, share their grief, wipe their tears and provide moral support,” he said.
His defiant stance has led to speculation that he is planning to split the Congress in the state and float his own outfit. Union Law Minister and AICC general secretary in charge of AP Veerappa Moily visited Idupulapaya, the native place of YSR, to pay floral tributes at his samadhi. He later met Reddy and YSR's wife Vijayamma. He, however, did not disclose what transpired at the meeting.
