Hyderabad:
Is the Congress in Andhra staring rebellion in the face?
On Thursday, the Minister for Women and Child Welfare resigned; she says this is to protest against the fact that YSR Reddy's son, Jaganmohan, has still not been made chief minister.
K Surekha's resignation has embarrassed current Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who was sworn in after YSR Reddy died in a helicopter crash last month. "How can I ask her to withdraw? Had her letter come to me directly, that's a different matter. She submitted her resignation to the Governor and he forwarded it to me for my advice. So where is the scope, tell me. Is there any method through which I can do that?'' says Rosaiah.
Surekha's pressure tactic may do more harm than good to Jaganmohan. Because despite his camp claiming it had no inkling of Surekha's decision to quit, many believe the entire episode was written, produced and directed by those close to YSR's son.
So when asked if other ministers are likely to follow Surekha's move, Jaganmohan loyalists play it safe. "If it helps Jagan, we will all resign. But before that we all have to think if he will benefit or not," shares Sabitha Indra Reddy, Andhra's Home Minister.
The party's high command reportedly believes that Jaganmohan, a first-time MP, does not have enough political experience to take over as chief minister. On October 22, Jaganmohan reportedly discussed the issue with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.
After his one-hour meeting with the party president, YSR's son had said, "I have been assured that my interests will be looked into, I will strengthen the party and I am with Sonia Gandhi and the party."