Jagan defies Congress, to go ahead with 'yatra'

Hyderabad,June 6: Continuing to defy the Congress party leaders, former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Sunday said he would go ahead with his "Odarpur yatra"."Who told you that yatra would not continue?" he shot back when reporters in Anantapur sought to know if he has called off his yatra. The Kadapa MP was asked to comment on reports that he decided to call off his controversial tour in different parts of Andhra Pradesh following a directive from the central leadership. By repeatedly asking the same question to reporters, Jagan has virtually made it clear that he would go ahead with his yatra in Srikakulam district from June 8. The yatra is aimed at consoling the family members of those who either committed suicide or died of shock following the death of his father, popularly known as YSR, in a helicopter crash last year. Jagan's attempt to defy the high command and take out the yatra in Warangal district of Telangana region on May 28 had triggered violence. The young MP was arrested on his way to Mahabubabad town in the district but firing by gunmen of his two loyal legislators in the town injured nine pro-Telangana activists, who were opposing his tour. After the incidents, Jagan visited New Delhi and met some Congress leaders to convince them that there is no politics in his yatra. After a meeting with general secretary incharge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, M. Veerappa Moily, he had claimed that the leadership permitted him to continue the tour. However, Moily later denied this and advised Jagan not to defy the high command. Jagan's loyalists among the state ministers have also advised him not to go against the party's directive. Last week, several legislators loyal to his father called on him and urged him not to take any hasty step. Unhappy with Jagan's attitude, the Congress leadership is not willing to allow him to undertake the yatra even in non-Telangana areas. Srikakulam is a part of north coastal Andhra and his yatra is not facing any opposition there.
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