YSR's son defies Congress leadership, resumes his yatra

Hyderabad (IANS) - Defying the Congress leadership again, parliament member Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Monday launched the third leg of his "Odarpu (consolation) yatra" in his native Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

The young MP began his road shows in Pulivendula constituency after paying floral tributes at the grave of his father, the late chief minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy (popularly known as YSR), at their Idupulapaya family estate.

YSR, a practising Christian, was laid to rest at his family estate after he was killed in a helicopter crash last year.

Jagan held back from making any attacks on Chief Minister K. Rosaiah or party leadership. "You all know what is happening in the state today," was all that he said while addressing the gathering in Pulivendula town.

Jagan unveiled statues of YSR, addressed ac few road shows and consoled the families of those who died of shock following the death of his father in the helicopter crash.

During the two-day yatra, the Kadapa MP would visit parts of the assembly constituency which is being currently represented by his mother Vijayalakshmi.

The mini yatra is seen as a prelude to the main yatra Jagan will be launching in Prakasam district Sep 3. A day before that, he will address a public meeting at the temple town of Tirupati to mark the first death anniversary of his father.

The Jagan camp is unfazed by the warning of the party's central leadership to either call off the yatra or face disciplinary action.

Party sources said the central leadership could take some action against YSR's son after Sep 2.

Jagan loyalist and state Mines Minister B.Srinivas Reddy and six of the eight Congress legislators in Prakasam district have announced that they would participate in the yatra despite the warning by the party leadership.

Meanwhile, Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Ahmedullah Monday said he too would accompany Jagan during the yatra.

Social Welfare Minister P.Subhash Chandrabose and two dozen legislators participated in Jagan's yatra in East Godavari district last month.

The Congress leadership sees Jagan's yatra as an attempt to mobilise support from both the party and public to destabilise the Rosaiah government.