| There was a complete lull in the camp of YSR loyalists after a week
of frenetic campaigning for making his son Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy the
Chief Minister. But, the activity gathered steam in different districts.
Gandhi Bhavan, the party headquarters, and the Congress Legislature
Party office wore a deserted look as most party leaders kept away.
In contrast, former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s
official residence was abuzz with visits by several party leaders and
common people to convey their condolences to Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy.
Among them were Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry
Jyotiraditya Scindia, former Union Minister U.V. Krishnam Raju and some
State Ministers.
Scene shifts
A majority of senior Congress leaders moved to the national capital
to convey their views to AICC leaders while those who did not are
anxiously awaiting a positive response from the Central leadership
since 152 of the 154 party MLAs are pitching for making Mr Jagan the
Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, district-level party units have taken unto themselves the
task of mobilising public opinion in favour of Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy.
“Jaganmohan Reddy has mass public support and Congress leaders will be
more than willing to guide him in taking the State forward on the path
of development,” Congress leader Vuppunuthula Purushotham Reddy told
reporters.
There is no let-up in rallies, relay hunger strike camps and public
meetings demanding Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy’s elevation in spite of express
instructions from Central leaders asking the leaders and cadre to
observe restraint. In Hyderabad, AP Mahila Congress activists led by
its president K. Ganga Bhavani took out a rally from Gandhi Bhavan to
the Assembly.
Reports from the districts indicated that an impressive public
meeting was organised in Pulivendula, the native place of Rajasekhara
Reddy, where speakers unanimously pitched for Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy. In
Warangal, Congress activists took out a large procession with a similar
demand. |
