Notwithstanding the massive mandate given to him by the Kadapa electorate in the recent by election, YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan reddy had attracted only 8 MLAs from the congress fold to his 48-hour hunger strike that he undertook in Guntur in support of the farmers’ cause in the last two days.
Though he was said to be enjoying the support of 15 MLAs of the congress in the 294-member assembly, all of them not dared to attend his fasting camp for the fear of being disqualified by the party.
Jagan, obviously realizing his limitations and making sure that he was not in a position to topple the congress government, had tentatively decided to satisfy himself by throwing a challenge to the congress. And to cover up his inability, he also found an alibi to support his argument.
During his by-election campaign, Jagan threatened to topple the Kirankumar reddy government with in six months but after realizing that he had limited resources and toppling the government is not a possibility in the near future, he had changed his tact.
Alleging that the TDP had joined hands with the congress, Jagan challenged the government to go for a snap poll and seek a fresh mandate. But no one is ready to take the bait.
The fact however remains that not all the MLAs, who are loyal to Jagan, are happy with him. Even the hard core loyal MLAs are reportedly unhappy with Jagan’s dictatorial attitudes and unilateral decisions.
The two MLAs who have walked out on him have spilled the beans that Jagan’s style of functioning is most undemocratic and they could not stay with him any more. It is said that even the hard core Jagan loyalists are being made to wait for two or three days for his appointment.
In this backdrop, the fence sitters are not ready to join his bandwagon and lose their dignity on one side and to be disqualified by the Assembly Deputy Speaker on the other.
Jagan also is fully aware of these things and has reportedly decided to concentrate on the forthcoming elections to urban local bodies and Panchayat raj institutions which could really serve to test his real strength.
