Jagan scores over Kiran in 'Rachcha'

In the game of one-upmanship, defiant leader from Kadapa YS Jaganmohan Reddy had a score over his rival from the region – Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. 

Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy backtracked from going ahead with the planned Kadapa Racha Banda on February 11, using the pretext of Election Code which came into force from February 8. The official reason released by the Chief Minister’s Office that the Racha Banda programme in Kadapa has been shelved has been taken with a pinch of salt by most people.

Observers believe that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy managed to retained his Kadapa armour which kept Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy away from the flagship programme to avoid any unpleasant situation. The Chief Minister is understood to have gone on a private visit to Chennai to cover up his absence at the Kadapa Racha Banda which was awaited with curiosity.

Analysts and others having concern for Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy were optimistic that the show progressed as desired and would be held as announced at Kadapa on February 11. There was consensus that the Chief Minister had used the Election Code as a good alibi for deliberately skipping it on the eleventh hour.

The timing of Racha Banda and the decision of the Election Commission of India to hold Council Elections in the districts were well synchronised. Why? What is the rationale behind the Chief Minister's aversion for Kadapa Racha Banda? Why did he seek to 'avoid' it?

Analysts say the 'influence' of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and that of his son, who turned a rebel against the Congress party, was thick in the air of the region which is notoriously known for faction feuds. In the best interests of the party as also to avoid a possible encounter with the rebellious followers of former MP, the platform for Racha Banda minus Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy went off.