Jaipal accuses Jagan of weakening party, hints at disciplinary action

In a sure sign that the Congress High Command is hardening its stance against Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy on Saturday unleashed the first barb at the young leader by accusing him of violating party discipline.

Mr Jaipal Reddy also termed Mr Jaganmohan Reddy’s actions as ‘very undesirable’ and accused him of ‘misusing’ his media house to weaken the party.

Earlier, all hell had broke when the Sakshi television, part of the media house owned by Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, had broadcast a controversial programme stating that the popularity of the Congress party was ebbing and had attacked party president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. The channel had claimed that a ‘coterie’ was always around these leaders.

The party had already described the attack on its leadership as a serious issue.

The channel had subsequently claimed that it had acted on its own and Mr Jaganmohan Reddy was not aware of the programme.

Mr Jaipal Reddy, in his attack on Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, said, "Everybody knows that the channel is owned by Mr Jaganmohan Reddy.” He added that the channel was being used to forward Mr Jaganmohan Reddy’s political agenda. The Union Minister added, “the channel is being misused to weaken the party. It is very undesirable."

"It is unfortunate," he said.

There were also reports that a 'Core' Committee in New Delhi was planning something against Mr Jaganmohan Reddy. Sources said that party's Disciplinary Action Committee may initiate action against the young MP.

Against this background, Mr Jaganmohan Reddy's uncle and YSR's brother, YS Vivekanada Reddy who is camping in New Delhi is one of the very likely ministers to figure in the KKR's list, which has already been submitted to Sonia Gandhi.

Mr Vivekananda Reddy seems to be an obvious 'choice' for the High Command to keep the Kadapa MP under check.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy’s mother Vijayamma, MLA from Pulivendula, has not greeted the new Chief Minister so far.

The Union Minister also described Mr Jaganmohan Reddy’s father and former chief minister late YS Rajasekhara as a ‘tremendously’ loyal Congressman and added that the Kadapa MP is seemingly confused. He also said that any disciplinary action against Mr Jaganmohan Reddy would be taken at the highest levels in the party.