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The CBI is looking for an approver in the disproportionate assets case against the YSR Congress chief to make the case stronger. Vicky Nanjappa reports.
There is apprehension among supporters of YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy with rumours of his imminent arrest afloat in Andhra Pradesh.
Members of the Jagan camp are expecting some kind of witch-hunt considering that Jagan Mohan Reddy has just begun his campaign for the bye-elections.
Sources have indicated that the Central Bureau of Investigation is preparing to make an arrest, but is currently looking for an approver in the disproportionate assets case against Jagan in order to make it watertight. Even in political circles of Andhra Pradesh, like the Congress and the Telegu Desam Party, there is talk of Jagan Reddy's arrest.
All Jagan's political rivals are expecting an arrest soon. In fact, the mood in the YSR Congress party too is not upbeat and strategies are being worked out in the event of an arrest.
The CBI on the other hand is taking its time. The investigating agency has said that they have completed their probe in the assets case against Jagan. However, the CBI feels that the case would be much stronger if they present it before the court with an approver. They cannot afford to go wrong as it would have serious repercussions.
The CBI has been busy tracking Jagan's movements, as he is out campaigning for the bye-elections.
Meanwhile, Jagan's supporters have camped at his Hyderabad residence and have decided to stay put in support of their leader. The party units in the districts too have been alerted. They have been readied to take out a series of marches in case of an arrest.
Jagan, however, has decided to continue with his campaign. Although not too vocal, he has been sending out veiled messages about a witch-hunt against him. He has already intimated his close aides that his mother would take over the party in case he is arrested and she would lead the campaign.
Jagan's mother -- Vijayamma, as she is called -- has already been told that in case she were to lead the campaign the entire focus should be on the arrest seeking the sympathy of the voter.
However, close aides of the leader feel that the CBI cannot just pick him up. They feel that Jagan would be given an opportunity before any such move.
Meanwhile, political observers in Andhra Pradesh feel that the Congress is playing a cat and mouse game with Jagan and is using the CBI for the same. They feel that this is more of a tool which they keep using each time they feel that the YSR Congress is getting stronger.
Jagan too does not appear to have the same amount of aggression and has mellowed a lot compared to what he was six months ago. He has chosen to attack only the TDP and has left out the Congress fearing a counter attack.
The drama in Andhra Pradesh has generated a lot of interest in New Delhi too. Congress leaders in Andhra Pradesh say that the matter is no longer in their hands as it is under the nose of the party leadership in New Delhi.