CM counselling 18 MLAs sitting on Fence

Based on intelligence reports that as many as 18 legislators were sitting on the fence, an alert Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has begun the ‘counseling’ operations in right earnest with the Congress legislators at his camp office here on Tuesday.

Consequent to the large-scale CBI raids on the offices and residences of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Emaar properties, which has sent shock waves in the YSR Congress camp, 26 legislators tendered their resignation letters on Monday. They submitted the letters to the Legislature Secretary Sadaram stating that they were resigning both from their post and party to protest against the inclusion of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's name in the CBI's FIR against Jagan.

Sensing danger that more would jump to the YSR Congress camp, the Chief Minister started the exercise of conciliatory talks with his party legislators and ministers. Those legislators who were close to Jagan in the past like Vijaya Kumar from Santhnoothalapadu, Rajesh from Chintalapudi, Sudhakar from Madakasira and from chief minister’s own district Katasani Ramireddy and others were assured that the camp office would be open for 24 hours to attend to the problems in their respective constituencies.

Further, the Chief Minister is understood to have discussed with ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao, Kasu Krishna Reddy and Vishwaroop. As Dharmana Krishnadass, minister’s brother, and sons of Kasu Krihna Reddy and Vishwaroop, were sailing with YS Jagan, the Chief Minister reportedly expressed his concern asking the ministers to try to persuade their ‘kith’ and ‘kin’ to return to the ruling party.

Reports also reached chief minister’s camp that the cited kith and kin of ministers were camping in Idupulapaya in Kadapa district to be part of an action plan being formulated by the Jagan’s leadership. The chief minister has taken this counseling session as a compulsory exercise to pull back the ‘erring’ legislators from the Jagan’s side.