Rosaiah asks Congressmen to skip Jagan's yatra

Hyderabad: Making it clear that the Congress high command has not given a nod to Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's 'Odarpu yatra', being resumed from Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday asked his Cabinet colleagues and party legislators to keep away from it. (Read: On YSR's birthday, Jagan to begin defiant yatra) | (Read blog by TS Sudhir: A rebel is born. YS Jagan)

"Whether or not to take part in the yatra is an individual choice but if any minister, MLA or MLC indeed takes part in the yatra, it will be a clear violation of the high command," Rosaiah told reporters. (Read: Congress 'not worried' about Jagan's yatra)

He said some of his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and MLCs, had approached him seeking his counsel on their participation in the yatra.

"I told them clearly that they should not participate in the yatra as it did not have the Congress high command's approval... If anyone violates this and takes part in the yatra, the party will deal with them appropriately," he added. (Read: Congress to Jagan: Don't cross 'Lakshman rekha')

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However, he said, Jaganmohan's yatra - in defiance of the party directive - would not have any impact on state politics, particularly the Congress affairs.

"The political situation is very normal and there is no uncertainty...I don't think such small issues will have any impact on the state politics," Rosaiah said.

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Not with-standing party Chief Sonia Gandhi's reservations about it, Jaganmohan, the son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy, has decided to resume his controversial 'Odarpu' yatra to console party workers grieving his father's loss.

Jaganmohan, who had defied the party directive against undertaking the yatra in May also, had met Gandhi along with his family members on June 29 to seek her permission for the tour.

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The meeting took place in New Delhi on the request of Jaganmohan's mother Vijayalakshmi.  During the meeting, Gandhi had suggested assembling the affected families at one place to console them and also to offer financial assistance.

In an open letter to the people, he had 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 (Sonia Gandhi) did not cite any specific reason but did not appear to be favourably inclined over resuming the yatra." (Read: Jagan Mohan defies Sonia, set to resume yatra)

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Defying the Congress high command's directive earlier, Jagan had left by train to start his yatra in Warangal district on May 28 but it was marred by violent protests from Telangana supporters.