Jagan battles two-pronged attack from Cong,TDP

Congress and TDP are keen on raising their pitch against Jagan if and when by-elections take place to the 17 seats in Andhra-Rayalaseema regions and project him as a — separatist –,unlike his late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who stood for a unified state.

Jagan’s alleged — support for Telangana statehood cause — has angered the pro-unified groups in Andhra-Rayalaseema regions who vowed to decimate the YSR Congress if it did not reverse its stand.

For long,there has been talk that Jagan has entered into a tacit understanding with TRS to gain a foothold in Telangana region as well though the YSR Congress party did not clearly spell out whether it is in favour of a separate state.

Jagan,his confidants say,is expected to react to the Opposition campaign only after the (by-poll) battle lines are drawn.

Mahbubnagar,Nagarkurnool,Kollapur,Adilabad,Kamareddy and Station Ghanpur¿-all in Telengana region–are scheduled to go to by-elections following the resignation of sitting MLAs (except in Mahbubnagar where the local legislator died of heart-attack). These five MLAs quit on Telangana statehood issue.

If the Assembly Speaker disqualifies the Congress MLAs for voting against the government on the no-confidence motion,one more constituency — Parkal — will be added to the by-poll list in Telangana.

Interestingly,Jagan said he would field sitting MLA Konda Surekha,who had been sailing with him since YSR’s death,as YSR Congress candidate along with other MLAs who might face disqualification.

As she claimed to have voted against the government protesting delay in creation of Telangana,Surekha would like TRS to stay away from contest in Parkal.

“What we have been saying for long has been proved right

with Jagan announcing his party’s stand vis-à-vis the by-elections in Telangana. That he is into a match-fixing deal with TRS has been openly exposed now,¿ TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said.

State Education Minister S Sailajanath and several MLAs of Congress too alleged — he has betrayed the cause of a unified state which his (late) father espoused till the end.

Seemaandhra Joint Action Committee convenor N Samuel and other leaders wanted Jagan to review his stand immediately.

“It is highly regrettable that a party that took birth in the name of YSR is seeking to ‘respect the sentiments’ of separatists,” Samuel said.

Jagan has not reacted so far to the allegation that he is into a secret pact with KCR but one of his key aides rubbished Congress’ and TDP’s allegation as — too far-fetched and wild.

“Being the front-runner in the state,YSR Congress party need not enter into any understanding with any party. If at all,there is an understanding,it is between Congress and TDP. It is clearly visible. As Jaganmohan Reddy is growing stronger day by day,Congress on one hand and TDP on the other are indulging in mudslinging,” the aide said.