In a stance that seems to dilute the letter sent by Andhra Pradesh's Council of Ministers to Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Rosaiah has said: "Jagan is very young. I am not at all in the race. I am a loyal soldier of the party and will abide by the central leadership."

He also said that Congress has a very strong high command in Sonia Gandhi and they will take a decision based on many factors.

Rosaiah had earlier told NDTV that he will abide by whatever the Congress decides.

The proposed meeting of Congress MLAs to back Jagan Reddy has also been diluted into a floral tribute to YSR, perhaps after the central leadership made their views clear on this kind of public lobbying.