The signs of re-alignment of political forces were available when Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s trusted lieutenant and Defence Minister A K Antony flew down to Hyderabad in a special aircraft for confabulations Chiranjeevi. The meeting, pregnant with political significance, got prominent coverage across the local publications today.
The media speculated that as part of the deal offered by Congress, Chiranjeevi could get a berth in the central cabinet while his party may be offered four ministries in the Kiran Kumar Reddy government. According to “Eenadu”, Antony told Chiranjeevi that Congress recognized his strength in the state politics and he could decide whether to merge Praja Rajyam Party with Congress and have an electoral tie-up.
“Sakshi”, in its banner story, made a critical analysis of the development, saying it smacked of “Jagan phobia” in Congress and reflected the ruling party’s desperation to check the juggernaut of former Kadapa MP.
The other dailies “Andhra Jyothy”, “Andhra Bhoomi” and “Vaartha” carried similar stories focusing on how Congress was bracing for a showdown with Jagan camp and the offer to Chiranjeevi to join the cabinet was part of this strategy. “Eenadu” and “Andhra Jyothy” reported that the ruling party would now move disqualification proceedings against some of the pro-Jagan legislators to send across a strong message to potential migrants.
At least 20 Congress MLAs have been openly siding with Jagan. While simultaneously continuing efforts to woo some of them back into the party fold, the party leadership will seek to disqualify some of the more vociferous rebels, the reports said.
According to media reports, Antony came as an emissary of Sonia Gandhi and presented a set of options to the actor-turned-politician including merging his party with Congress, accepting cabinet berths at the Centre and in the state and electoral tie-up as an UPA ally.
The TDP seeking re-opening of the Paritala Ravi murder case to probe the alleged role of Jagan was prominently covered by “Eenadu”, Andhra Jyothy” and “Andhra Bhoomi”. The TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao vituperative outbursts against seemandhra settlers got wide coverage in “Eenadu” and “Andhra Jyothy”.
The Director General of Police Aravinda Rao’s letter to Chief Secretary S V Prasad, complaining against the Textiles and Handlooms Minister Dr P Shankar Rao’s abusive comments was highlighted by “Andhra Jyothy”, “Sakshi” and “Andhra Bhoomi”. Jagan camp follower and actress Roja’s challenge to TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu to first move a no-confidence motion against the government and then go to the people was played up by “Sakhsi”.
In a dispatch from Delhi, “Andhra Bhoomi” said the Election Commission has given green signal for “YSR Party” to be launched by Jagan. It also carried a detailed story on Chief Minister’s prestigious “Rachchabanda” programme has turned acrimonious and violent across Telangana region. The programme had to be cancelled in at least 600 villages in the region, it said.
