Ever since Rajya Sabha member K V P Ramachandra Rao kicked up a controversy over removal of his bosom friend and late chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s picture in the Congress party office, the party leaders have started raising a hue and cry over the alleged “coverts” of YSR Congress party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.

It is an open secret in the Congress party that many of the MLAs and even a few ministers are hobnobbing with the YSR Congress party leaders. Though many of them wanted to jump the fence soon after the recent by-elections, it is believed that Jagan himself advised them not to be hasty. Instead of defecting, he is said to have advised them to be within the Congress party and ensured that there would not be any alternative leadership in their respective constituencies. So, when they take a plunge into the YSR Congress party along with their cadres before the 2014 elections, the Congress would not be able to find any leaders and cadre base in their constituencies.

In the meantime, these MLAs and ministers could weaken the Congress party from within by not involving seriously in developmental programmes. While some leaders like Sabbam Hari are openly supporting Jagan, others are silently working for the YSR Congress party.

“There are many such coverts of Jagan in the Congress. Unless they are weeded out, the party would have to face a difficult task in the next elections,” says union minister Panabaka Lakshmi.