HC not in a hurry to act against Jagan

HC not in a hurry to act against Jagan

 New Delhi, November 27: With his television channel showing no signs of relenting on sniping at Congress leadership, criticism mounted against rebel Andhra Pradesh MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy but the party appears to be in no hurry to take any action. The new Andhra Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was in the capital today for discussions with the high command on constituting his new cabinet and the issue of Jagan's revolt came up in the meetings.

Senior party leader from Andhra Pradesh and Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy today said Jagan was violating party discipline but added it was for the high command to decide any action against him. Y S Vivekanand Reddy, brother of the later Chief Minister Y S Rajsekhara Reddy, who is apparently keen on getting into the state cabinet claimed that Jagan will soon express regret to Sonia Gandhi over his channel's attacks.

The Disciplinary Action Committee of the party headed by Defence Minister A K Antony met yesterday and sources said Jagan was not listed on its agenda. On his part Jagan held consultations with his supporters in Hyderabad and a spokesman for his camp termed as unfortunate Jaipal Reddy's statement on Jagan. 'Everybody knows that the channel is owned by him (Jagan)and the channel is run for his own politics apparently. The channel is being misused to weaken the party. It is very undesirable,'Jaipal Reddy said. He said it was not correct for the young MP to allow his channel to be misused against Congress. 'Naturally the decision (about action on Jagan) has to be taken at the national level of the party,' he said responding to queries on the likelihood of disciplinary action against the young MP.

Meanwhile Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, 'As per our information, this (the content telecast by the news channel) was not news but views and people think that when views are expressed in media then the role of management is very much clear.' Ahmed, however, evaded a direct reply on whether Congress will take any action against the rebel Kadapa MP. 'The party had sought a report when the first telecast (criticising Congress President and the Prime Minister) was made . It is natural that any decision will be taken on the basis of the report. But anything on this can be said only by the AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh M Veerappa Moily,' he said. Ahmed said the party leadership is seized of the entire matter but evaded questions whether Congress was afraid of taking action against Jagan.

Jagan's camp reacted sharply to Jaipal Reddy's attack on him wondering what was the provocation. Ambati Rambabu, a Jagan loyalist said what appeared in Sakshi channel was not the opinion of Jagan. Top party leaders meanwhile ruled out any action against Jagan in the Sakshi episode but added that the MP's actions so far should be enough for any party to take action against him.

Congress strategy appears to be to wear him out instead of taking any action against him. The installation of a new Chief Minister is a part of the strategy to neutralise Jagan. Another aspect of this would be to induct Vivekananda Reddy into the state cabinet. Vivekananda Reddy said every Congressman was hurt by the attacks which went on air on the channel but sought to suggest that Jagan may not have been aware of this.

He said the editors of the channel should be properly advised against such telecasts. Vivekananda Reddy said Jagan cannot be held directly responsible for the content that goes on air as he is not the editor. 'I don't know what prompted the channel to telecast such a programme which had hurt the feelings of all Congressmen. It must have hurt the feelings of Jagan himself,' he said. The MLC said the 'phenomenal rise' of Jagan in the party after the death of his late father YSR has led to the rise of his enemies in the party, who "have been planting" stories to the High Command. 'There have been many designs against Jagan by some party leaders, especially after the Odarpu yatra, which drew thousands of people,' he said. He said the entire family of late YSR, including Jagan, will be with the Congress forever.

Vivekananda Reddy also said the 'crowd puller' Jagan will play a major role in the 2014 elections and will work for the victory of the Congress. After the telecast by the channel, Congress high command had sought a report from the state. After receiving the report a few days back, AICC in-charge for the state and Law Minister M Veerappa Moily termed it as a 'serious issue'.