Jagan defies Sonia: No stopping Yatra

Ignoring the Congress threat of disciplinary action if he pushed ahead with his Andhra Pradesh roadshow, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, MP from Kadapa and son of the late YSR, today decided to go ahead with the Odarpu Yatra from July 8, his father's birth anniversary.

In a letter published in his newspaper Sakshi, Jaganmohan said it was his "moral responsibility" and "personal decision" to finish the yatra and it had nothing to do with the party.

Last week, Jaganmohan and his mother Vijayalakshmi, MLA from Pulivendula, met Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi but failed to get a favourable response. In an open letter later, he said: "We explained to her the need to resume the yatra to console the family members of those who died following the death of my father. She (Gandhi) did not cite any specific reason but did not appear to be favourably inclined over resuming the Yatra."

Though the Congress today warned him against the yatra, party sources said no decision had been taken yet to initiate any action against him at this stage. The leadership, the sources said, had left it to his discretion after he argued that he had already made a commitment to the people.

"All true, committed and loyal Congressmen must necessarily observe both the party dharma and Lakshman Rekha of propriety and party discipline," said AICC spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi. "Failure to do so would perforce lead to a chain of consequences, which are best avoidable. We hope and trust that compliance will take the place of defiance."

Congress sources said Jaganmohan had not been specifically forbidden on the yatra. He was "advised" to think of some alternative given the strong views of Opposition parties. A section of the state Congress was also against it, the sources said. "He has to show maturity and not embarrass the party that could force our hand," said a senior AICC functionary.

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