Jagan may get away with reprimand

Even as Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy strongly disapproved of the attack on Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the Sakshi Telugu TV channel, owned by Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, the high command is contemplating taking action against him after the Parliament session is over.

However, the action might not be severe, considering his political experience and age, and it could be a mere warning or reprimand, a senior leader said, adding the disciplinary action committee headed by Defence Minister A.K. Antony had completed its probe and sent its report.

The committee considered the reports submitted by Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D. Srinivas and the former Chief Minister, K. Rosaiah, besides viewing CDs of the controversial programme. “We have lot more issues to deal with. This issue is only a minor one and we will deal appropriately,” a leader said.

“Mere expression of views”

Party sources said action against Jagan, son of the late Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, need not be based on the Sakshi telecast controversy alone because it considered the programme a mere expression of views and not a news story though the channel was started with the blessings of YSR to support the Congress. There were instances of Jagan having openly defied the party's instructions against undertaking the

odarpu yatra (visiting bereaved families of party men who committed suicide following the death of YSR), the sources said, adding the disciplinary action move could be only to bring him under control.

Mr. Jaipal Reddy told

The Hindu that the telecast was “unfortunate” and that Jagan had been “misled” into violating party discipline. His action was “very undesirable.” Mr. Reddy added YSR was very loyal to the party.