The Congress' move to checkmate rebel Member of Parliament Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's yatra does not seem to have had the desired effect.
The party had announced a relief of Rs 1 lakh to the families of every person who had died of shock over the death of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy a year ago, has not deterred Jagan from going ahead with his Odarpu Yatra (condolence tour) that starts on September 3 in Prakasham district.
The party's move has, on the other hand, created confusion among Jagan's supporters on their line of support.
All India Congress Committee general secretary Veerappa Moily had announced recently that party president Sonia Gandhi has asked the Congress party to extend financial assistance to the bereaved families, and diehard Jagan supporters had hailed this move.
The party's central leadership had showered praises on YSR on the eve of the first death anniversary and acknowledged his contribution to the party, which was a shot in the arm for those who did not want Jagan to confront the party's leadership.
Once a fierce Jagan supporter, Health minister D Nagendar has changed his tune. Welcoming the announcement of the AICC, Nagendar warned Jagan that if he crossed the line drawn by the party, he and his supporters would suffer badly.
"As a brother I am advising him to listen to the advice and not to spoil his future. He should work with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi and remember that his great father had never violated the party discipline," he said.
Another pro-Jagan legislator Anam Vivekananda Reddy welcomed the statement of Veerappa Moily.
"The party has finally bestowed a great honour on YSR by recognising him as a political saint," he said.
He pointed out that no party had ever provided financial relief to the families of the people who committed suicide for a departed leader.
"This is an acknowledgment of how great and popular YSR was," he said.
But he was wary of commenting on Jagan's proposed Yatra.
"Now after this great honor by the AICC it is for Jagan to decide whether to take out Odarpu yatra or not. It is his individual Yatra," he said.
Mahidar Reddy, a member of legislative assembly from Prakasham district, said he was keen that both the Congress and Jagan should work from a single platform.
He said he hds already advised Jagan that his Yatra should be under the flag of the Congress.
Jagan's uncle and member of legislative council Y S Vivekananda Reddy also welcomed the AICC statement with a rider.
"The Congress should accept the leadership of Jagan in providing solace to the bereaved families."
However, Jagan and his supporters have not indicated any change in the schedule of the controversial yatra.
Jagan will also address a rally of his own on September 2 in Tirupati marking the first death anniversary of his father.
