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Congress MP from Kadapa, YS Jaganmohan Reddy further tested the patience of the Congress high command when he indirectly attacked the party leadership alleging that the MPs, MLAs and ministers were being threatened against joining his Odarpu Yatra.
Jagan, who continue to attract huge crowds on the third day of his condolence tour through Srikakulam district, did not take any names nor did he directly mention the party leadership, but his target was clearly the party high command which did not grant permission to the young MP to continue with this tour.
He made some sensational comments while addressing a mammoth gathering at Veeragattam old bus stand junction on Saturday. He alleged that the MPs and MLAs from Srikakulam and East Godavari districts were being threatened and prevented from participating in his Yatra. "What sin I have committed? Is it justified"? he asked.
Jagan said that no party MLA was allowed to be present in his constituency on the occasion of YSR's birth anniversary. "Were those who died for YSR not Congress workers? " he asked. Jagan said that the MPs, MLAs and ministers from Srikakulam and East Godavari district were very keen to attend his Yatra but they were being stopped. "They are passing through a hell and my heart is crying for them," he said.
The MP said that standard of politics had fallen down to such an extent that he did not like to pollute himself by commenting on it. This was second consecutive day when Jagan raised the question about the standard of politics. Rejecting the contentions of some that he was isolated, Jagan said, "people are with me", he said pointing out the enthusiasm response from the masses where ever he was going.
The Kadapa MP's outburst against the party has not only shocked the party leaders and office bearers but was likely to add fuel to his ongoing tussle with the state Chief Minister K Rosaiah and the party high command.
Emboldened by the success of his yatra, Jagan has extended his program in Srikakulam district by one more day. After Srikakulam MP K Krupa Rani's open support of Jagan, another MP Botsa Jhansi from Vizianagaram has also defended Jagan saying that the politicising his yatra was unfortunate. Jhansi is the wife of a powerful minister Botsa Satyanarayana.
It was obvious that the unexpected success of Jagan's yatra has generated a lot of disquiet among the party MLAs and other elected representatives. Specially in the East Godavari district, where Jagan will travel during his next phase, many MLAs were itching to join him. Two MLAs G Srikant Reddy and K Venkatrami Reddy are already travelling with Jagan. Another senior Congress leader from the region and former minister K Ramakrishna also joined the yatra.
Significantly senior leader from Srikakulam and revenue minister Dharmana Prasad Rao's son was among the leaders who were with Jagan on second day and publicly displayed his affection for young MP.