Even as Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is preparing for his next phase of ‘Odarpu Yatra' from September 3 in Prakasam district, a group of Congress MPs from Telangana has hit out at him stating that those who go against party president Sonia Gandhi's directives had no place in the party.
In fact, without naming Jagan, convenor of A.P. Congress MPs and Karimnagar Lok Sabha member Ponnam Prabhakar told journalists that the party MPs would not tolerate if anyone spoke against Ms. Gandhi.
Nizamabad MP Madhu Goud Yaskhi reminded the Jagan camp: “We were elected to Lok Sabha by people because of the party, its symbol and Ms. Gandhi and not because of YSR. We will stand by the party and its chief, not by any individual.” When asked whether he was referring to Jagan, Mr. Yaskhi shot back: "Whoever goes against the party — be it Jagan or his supporters —have no place.”
To another question, he said the high command was seized of the matter (relating to Mr. Jagan's activities) and they (Telangana MPs) would not interfere in it.
Among others, G. Vivekanand (Peddapalle), S. Satyanarayana (Malkajgiri), G. Sukender Reddy (Nalgonda), M. Jagannath (Nagarkurnool) and K. Raj Gopal Reddy (Bhongir) were present.
Meanwhile, Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, along with a group of students from Telangana region, met Home Minister P. Chidambaram and sought withdrawal of cases filed against students during the Telangana stir last year. He pointed out to the Minister that despite the latter's assurance, the cases had not been withdrawn. Over 5,000 cases had been pending against the students.
Mr. Rao, who claimed that the Home Minister promised to take up the matter with A.P. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, said he would raise the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh if the government failed to keep its promise.
