Temporary truce: Jagan to back UPA

Notwithstanding the rancour and bitterness in his relationship with the Congress, especially after his arrest by the CBI in a disproportionate assets case, YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy has pledged his support to Pranab Mukherjee’s presidential candidature.

Notwithstanding the rancour and bitterness in his relationship with the Congress, especially after his arrest by the CBI in a disproportionate assets case, YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy has pledged his support to Pranab Mukherjee’s presidential candidature.

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The assurance came when a UPA ally, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, met Jagan at Chanchalguda jail in Andhra Pradesh capital on Tuesday.

“Jagan has assured me that he will support Pranabda. He will talk to his party leaders and then take a decision,” Owaisi told HT.

With this, the Congress heaved a sigh of relief as the central leadership feared “major cross-voting” in the presidential polls in Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress was not too sure that Jagan will pledge his party’s support to Mukherjee as only a few days ago the YSR Congress had decimated it in by-polls, scoring resounding victory in 15 out of 18 assembly constituencies and one parliamentary seat as well.

The YSR Congress now has 17 MLAs and two MPs, including Jagan who represents Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.

Congress sources also hinted at Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s support to Mukherjee’s candidature. “Naidu will come around,” a Congress leader said. Congress managers are also hopeful that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee will eventually fall in line and support Mukherjee. “Mamata Banerjee is our valued ally and will remain so,” party in-charge of West Bengal Shakeel Ahmad said.

The Congress is also in the process of setting up a committee to campaign for Mukherjee across the country. Mukherjee is likely to launch his presidential campaign from Tamil Nadu on June 30.