Will Jagan, Cong shake hands on YSR's death anniv?

Will the crisis within the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh end on September 2, when the party will observe the first death anniversary of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy?

Even though Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of the late leader, has announced that he will not take part in any of the state government sponsored programmes, he has written to the party high command seeking to make peace.

In his letter, Jagan thanked the high command for sanctioning compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who committed suicide following YSR's death. He, however, has urged the party to extend the compensation to even those persons who had died of a heart attack at that time.

Jagan has also called on all Congress leaders in the state to support him to further this cause where compensation is concerned.

Political observers in Andhra Pradesh see this as an interesting move and say that Jagan may be handing out an olive branch to the Congress.

But sources within the Jagan camp told rediff.com that since day one there was no problem with the high command and instead it was the latter who had objected to Jagan's rally.

Jagan has always maintained that his Odarpu Yatra is a personal affair and is in no way connected to the party.

According to sources, a lot would depend on what Jagan would have to say at the public meeting that he would be addressing at Tirupati on Thursday evening. It would also be interesting to note as to how many leaders in the Rosaiah cabinet take part in that meeting, which is being organised by Jagan.

However, the Rosaiah camp is clear that all ministers would take part in the programme organised by the state government. They say it is the high command, which will have to take a final call. They add that the high command, in all probability, will let the yatra go on and ignore it, as it would not like a split in the party at this stage.