Even as MLC YS Vivekananda Reddy told media persons in New Delhi that he was working on a rapprochement between Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy and the Congress High Command, his loyalists on Saturday huddled once more to discuss the strategy to be adopted in case the reports of the planned disciplinary action are true.
Meanwhile, suspended Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Ambati Rambabu lashed out at Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy for his accusation that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy was trying to weaken the party.
Mr Rambabu said that "Mr Jaipal Reddy’s accusation is very unfortunate.” He also pointed out that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy had never spoken against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Mr Rambabu further stated that the media house owned by Mr Jaganmohan Reddy was independent in nature and was doing its job. He also reminded that the Editor of Sakshi had already clarified that the channel had aired the controversial programme without the Kadapa MP’s knowledge.
The former PCC general secretary also stated that “Jagan is not a coward to speak through the media if he has to criticise the High Command.”
Analysts say that Mr Rambabu’s answer to Mr Jaipal Reddy accusation is part of the strategy adopted by the Jagan group. This strategy is to wait and watch, yet at the same time rebut any comments made against the Kadapa MP.
The group of loyalists which met at Mr Jaganmohan Reddy’s Banjara Hills residence included former minister B Srinivasa Reddy, apart from some MLAs and MLCs. According to sources the camp will assess the situation after the naming of the list of Ministers in the new Cabinet. The group is also hoping that the fence sitters who till now had opted to express their loyalties to former chief minister K Rosaiah, will now support Mr Jaganmohan Reddy.