Jagan defies Sonia: No stopping Yatra

Hyderabad/New Delhi: Ignoring the Congress threat of disciplinary action if he pushed ahead with his Andhra Pradesh roadshow, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, MP from Kadapa and son of the late YSR, today decided to go ahead with the Odarpu Yatra from July 8, his father’s birth anniversary.

In a letter published in his newspaper Sakshi, Jaganmohan said it was his "moral responsibility" and "personal decision" to finish the yatra and it had nothing to do with the party.
Last week, Jaganmohan and his mother Vijayalakshmi, MLA from Pulivendula, met Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi but failed to get a favourable response. In an open letter later, he said: "We explained to her the need to resume the yatra to console the family members of those who died following the death of my father. She (Gandhi) did not cite any specific reason but did not appear to be favourably inclined over resuming the Yatra."
Though the Congress today warned him against the yatra, party sources said no decision had been taken yet to initiate any action against him at this stage. The leadership, the sources said, had left it to his discretion after he argued that he had already made a commitment to the people.

"All true, committed and loyal Congressmen must necessarily observe both the party dharma and Lakshman Rekha of propriety and party discipline," said AICC spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi. "Failure to do so would perforce lead to a chain of consequences, which are best avoidable. We hope and trust that compliance will take the place of defiance."
Congress sources said Jaganmohan had not been specifically forbidden on the yatra. He was "advised" to think of some alternative given the strong views of Opposition parties. A section of the state Congress was also against it, the sources said. "He has to show maturity and not embarrass the party that could force our hand," said a senior AICC functionary.
After the party warning, Jaganmohan was incommunicado, leaving for the family estate in Idupulapaya in Kadapa. He is expected to return to Hyderabad tomorrow and board a train for Ichapuram in Srikakulam district in the afternoon from where he plans to resume his yatra the next day.
In 2003, YSR had ended a 1,500-km long padayatra at Ichapuram and swept to power in elections five months later.

In his letter in Sakshi, Jaganmohan said it was his duty to finish what he started in the name of his father. "On June 29, I and my mother met Sonia Gandhi and explained to her in detail why I felt the need to meet the bereaved families. For some reasons she did not appear pleased and suggested that instead of touring the districts, I should gather all families at one place and meet them. Doing so would raise doubts about my intentions; questions would be asked if I wanted to give money to the families. Helping them financially is not my sole intention. Those who died of shock after hearing about my father's death are like family members to me. It is my duty to meet them and console them."
"When my father died, Sonia Gandhi flew down to console me and my family instead of asking us to come to Delhi... Already nine months have passed and my yatra had to be delayed due to various reasons and objections raised by a few persons... It is my duty as YSR's son. My Odarpu Yatra has been politicised."
Jaganmohan has been pressing the party to make him Chief Minister. Initially, he had produced the support of over 150 MLAs in his favour, but this failed to cut ice with the high command which made it clear that K Rosaiah would continue as CM.
With Jaganmohan defiant, most ministers and MLAs have quietly left his side, wary of inviting the wrath of the high command. Jaganmohan is also learnt to have lost the patronage of his father's close aide and friend, Rajya Sabha MP K V P Ramachandra, after refusing to listen to his advice.