Jagan likely to skip T mention in party's maiden plenary

Though the Telangana elected representatives have resigned from their elected posts in order to mount pressure on Centre over Telangana statehood demand, the focus has shifted to YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy who is keeping his cards close to his chest on the eve of his party’s maiden plenary scheduled to begin on July 8 in Idupulapaya, Kadapa district.

Mr Jaganmohan Reddy has so far adopted a very cautious approach to the vexed Telangana statehood demand, which has engulfed all the parties in the state.

According to political analysts, Mr Jaganmohan Reddy will not make any statement on Telangana in this crucial meeting but instead focus his attention on the problems faced by the people, strengthening the party, enrolment drive and appointment of office bearers.

Analysts say that the focus on the building the party’s base at the grassroots level will leave his detractors fuming and calls on him to clear his stand on the contentious separate statehood issue will be undoubtedly intensified.

Though Seemandhra leaders are mounting pressure on Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to express solidarity to the integrated Andhra agitation, the YSR Congress Party chief has so far not made his stand clear. He is said to be waiting for the Centre to take a decision on the issue, so that he could implement his undeclared plans.

Political observers believe Mr Jaganmohan Reddy is waiting for the Congress to take a stand on Telangana before he makes any statement, while the Congress is also seen to be waiting for him to make his position clear first.

According to sources, Mr Jaganmohan Reddy has not taken any stand on the issue as he has a limited base in Telangana region, but he is not inclined to erode this base.

He was earlier forced to call off his Odarpu Yatra in Telangana after separate statehood activists stopped him at Mahabubad in Warangal district. He had then been cautious to plan his Odarpu Yatra in Seemandhra regions.

However, if the YSR Congress Party president supports the Telangana demand, it would alter the shape of Andhra Pradesh politics.

If he opposes the demand, then it would mean that the TRS and Congress will have a free run in Telangana and Mr Jaganmohan Reddy’s chances of ruling the entire undivided state would be negligible.