YSR's son resumes yatra, attracts huge crowds

Hyderabad, July 8: Defying the Congress leadership, party MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Thursday launched his 'Odarpu' yatra in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district attracting huge crowds on the birth anniversay of his father and deceased chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.Unfazed by the central leadership's warning not to cross the limit, the young leader set out on a three-day tour to console family members of those who died of shock after the death of his father YSR in a helicopter crash last year. Visiting different villages, Jagan called on the families, consoled them and spent time with them. He also had food with the bereaved families. Though no minister or party legislator was present, the Kadapa MP received tremendous public response in towns and villages. Jagan made no reference to the Congress leadership, which had warned him of disciplinary action over the yatra.Party sources said the leadership may take some action against him after a few days. It did not want to move in haste as Jagan would then get public sympathy. Thousands lined up both sides of the streets and stood on rooftops to welcome Jagan in Itchapuram town. He unveiled a statue of his father at the site where YSR ended his 68-day padyatra in 2003. The 1,400-km-long padyatra had catapulted YSR to power a year later. Addressing people in a style which reminded people of his father, Jagan was impressed by the huge turnout. "My father has not left me orphaned. He has left behind such a huge family," he said to loud cheers. Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah denied that the party leadership has changed its stand on the Jagan issue. He also denied that he took a U-turn. Rosaiah had asked his cabinet colleagues and legislators to stay away from Jagan's tour. On Wednesday evening, Rosaiah said in New Delhi that the leadership was not against the yatra but the manner in which it was conducted. The leadership appears worried over the possibility of Jagan emerging powerful in the party. After YSR's death last year, the followers of Jagan wanted to make him the chief minister but the leadership declined to. Jagan has already visited a couple of districts to console some families. However, his attempt to visit Warangal district in Telangana May 28 despite a warning by the leadership and protests by pro-Telangana groups triggered violence.
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