YSR family always obedient to HC: YSV

Saying that the Ysr Family has always been loyal and obedient to the wishes of the Congress High Command, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s brother YS Vivekananda Reddy on Friday did not rule himself out of contention for a Ministerial berth.

YSV stated that serving the people was a family tradition and stated that he could do more justice to this tradition if he were to become a Minister in the KKR Cabinet.

He pointed out that a section of leaders had created gap between the High Command and Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. This vested section of leaders has also successfully widened the differences between party and the Kadapa MP, YSV stated.

Reacting on the Odarpu yatra, YSV pointed out that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy had not violated the High Command directives.

The yatra was taken only with an aim to console the next to kin of family members, who died due to sudden death of YSR, YSV said.

The senior leader also expressed confidence that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy would not split from the Congress and form a separate outfit. He also exuded confidence that the Kadapa MP would cooperate with the government.

Meanwhile, political circles are abuzz with rumours that YSV is indeed the frontrunner for a Ministerial berth.

Analysts surmise that by including Mr Vivekananda Reddy, a two-time MP, two-time MLA and presently MLC from Kadapa, the new Chief Minister will seek to send a message that the late YSR’s family will not be politically sidelined by the Congress.

However, some analysts also feel that the choice of YSV for a Ministerial post will also have the affect of dividing loyalists to YSR into two groups, one behind Mr Jaganmohan Reddy and the other behind YSV. The move will also give fence sitting Legislators who claim loyalty to YSR but also do not want to be seen against the Congress High Command, an opportunity to desert Mr Jaganmohan Reddy and still prove their loyalty to the Ysr Family by siding with YSV.