Telangana bypolls, Jagan's yatra raises political heat in AP

Byelections to 12 Assembly seats in Telangana region on July 27 and the obvious power game in the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh have risen the political temperature in the State.

Byelections to 12 Assembly seats in Telangana region on July 27 and the obvious power game in the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh have risen the political temperature in the State.

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Fuelling the atmosphere is a rebellious young MP from Kadapa, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, who has virtually thrown a challenge at the Congress high command over the continuation of his "Odarpu Yatra" (tour to console people) from July 8.

Jagan's yatra has come to occupy the centre stage of the State's political theatre even as the by-elections promise a different drama. Whether or not Jagan's act will culminate in an anti-climax is a much-talked about and curiously observed subject as the late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's son is bracing for a face-off with the Congress leadership.

Any negative outcome of this showdown (for the Jagan camp) is certain to cast a spell on the Congress government in the State, currently headed by Chief Minister K Rosaiah. And, just days ahead of the by-elections in Telangana, any further trouble in the party could be ominous for the Congress, political analysts point out.

After announcing the resumption of his 'Odarpu Yatra' with much bravado, Jagan has reached a spot from where he can't obviously go back. Neither can he march ahead with his plans by jumping the "danger" signal flashed on by the party high command.