'Jagan as CM' - Not Now, said Amma

[psycopk]

The young Kadapa Lok Sabha member, Mr Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, taking over as chief minister of the state seems to be ruled out at this juncture after his one-to-one discussions with the AICC president, Ms Sonia Gandhi, in New Delhi on Thursday.   

After a prolonged suspense over the succession issue and the subsequent uncertainty in the ruling Congress in the state, the outcome of the Sonia-Jagan meeting has come as the much-needed breather for the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, to remain stay put firmly in the saddle.

The unscheduled meeting between the AICC president and the Kadapa MP is also expected to not only apply brakes to the ongoing “Jagan as CM” campaigning launched by the YSR loyalists including ministers, but also provides an opportunity to Mr Rosaiah to concentrate in administering the state with renewed confidence.

Despite playing truant for quite sometime in giving an audience to Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, the AICC chief unexpectedly agreed to meet the son of the late chief minister, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, even as the Congress party was on the winning spree in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh. Mr Jaga Mohan Reddy renewed his plea for an appointment with Ms Sonia Gandhi soon after his arriving in the national capital on Wednesday.

During the 45-minute tête-à-tête, Ms Sonia Gandhi, after patiently hearing Mr Jagan’s version, seems to have succeeded in persuading him to leave the succession issue to her and that she would definitely protect his interests at the appropriate time. Before meeting Mr Jagan, the Congress supremo had a detailed briefing from the Union Law Minister, Mr Veerappa Moily, who is also the in-charge of AP party affairs.

Jagan loyalists Dissapointed

After his meeting with the AICC president, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy told waiting media persons at the A.P. Bhavan that he had discussed with Ms Gandhi about the prevailing political situation in the state after his father’s demise.

When a reporter referred to Dr YSR’s tragic helicopter crash, Mr Jagan tried to control his emotions and tears. However, recovering quickly, he explained that the AICC president had assured him to protect his interests and leave the chief ministership issue for her to resolve. “I have full faith and confidence in the Congress president and would abide by whatever decision she takes”, he added and with folded hands walked away parrying more questions from the media.

However, going by the body language of Mr Jagan and his confidants surrounding him during his brief encounter with the media, one can construe that the Congress president might have made it amply clear that the time has not yet come for him to shoulder the responsibility of the Chief Minister, while at the same time, promising him to reward appropriately at the appropriate time.

There was visible disappointment in the vociferous supporters of the Kadapa MP who were trumpeting for his taking over the reins of his late father as the Chief Minister. As a matter of fact, some ministers have even virtually hoisted a banner of revolt against the Chief Minister, Mr Rosaiah by openly demanding that the late Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s son be made chief minister and that they would work only under his leadership.

Now, with the Congress High Command amply making it known its decision on the contentious and controversial issue of chief ministership, disappointment enveloped the Jagan camp and much glee to Mr Rosaiah’s supporters. With the curtains almost drawn on the succession issue, the Chief Minister is likely to proceed to Delhi to call on the Central party leaders, including Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

Informed sources indicated that in order to enable the Rosaiah government to function smoothly, the High Command might give a free hand to the Chief Minister to initiate appropriate measures to send a firm message that he was the leader at the helm of affairs in the state. In this regard, the Chief Minister might also be given a green signal to revamp his ministry by weeding out the undisciplined and trouble mongers. Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see in the coming days if the ministers, MPs and MLAs singing “Jagan bhajan” to switch over to a new tune to appease Mr Rosaiah.

[psycopk]

Sonia Jagan Rosy