The Congress on Tuesday put up a brave face claiming that its government in Andhra Pradesh is under no threat from the support of its state leaders to the fasting in New Delhi by its former lawmaker Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.
“The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh was never under a threat, it is not under a threat and it will not be under a threat,” said party spokesperson Manish Tiwari here.
“The illusion [of threat] should be demystified,” he said, adding that Reddy does not belong to the party anymore.
Former Congress MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, who in December resigned from the Congress after a running feud with the central leadership since his father YSR Reddy’s death, on Tuesday sat on a day-long fast in New Delhi to protest the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal award, drawing support from the rebels Congress leaders and legislators of Andhra Pradesh.
At least 20 MLAs, two members of legislative councils, and two MPs were behind him in the fasting with their support, a development that is not too palatable to the Congress central leadership.
On the questions of a threat to the government and state issues, Tiwari said the Congress state leadership should be asked the question.
However, Congress legislators from Andhra like actress-turned-politician Jayasudha openly spoke about their support to Jaganmohan Reddy.
“He is fighting for Andhra Pradesh, it is for a good cause. We are ready to face consequences [for supporting him],” said Jayasudha on a national network.
“I respect Congress and Sonia Gandhi but my loyalty is with Jagan Mohan Reddy because I am a follower of YSR,” said Jayasudha, a Congress MLA from Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier, addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar here, Jagan said, ?We are seeking help from the people of Delhi, asking them to intervene. In the recent past, there have been cyclones in Andhra and the farmers have suffered a lot. So many farmers have died.
The Krishna Tribunal verdict came as a shock to us. We don’t mean to point a finger at any state.?
The Tribunal had recently, in its verdict, awarded Andhra Pradesh the highest share of Krishna river water, though the new allocation cuts down on its earlier entitlement.
Karnataka and Maharashtra have been given second and third largest share respectively.
On Dec 21, the former Kadapa MP launched a 48-hour fast at Vijayawada (AP), demanding better relief package for farmers who suffered heavy crop loss due to rains recently.
Jagan had left the Congress fold over a month back, stating that the Congress had humiliated him and his family despite his father (late AP chief minister YSR Reddy) did all he could for the party and died for things he loved to do.