Jagan's mother brings her battle to the PM's doorstep

Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy’s mother Vijayamma (wife of former Congress chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy) on Wednesday brought her to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, complaining of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI’s) “vindictiveness” against her son. Vijayamma has demanded an enquiry by a Supreme Court judge into CBI’s actions, alleging that the agency’s only aim was to unjustifiably confine Jagan, a Congress rebel, in jail for as long as possible.

The YSR Congress has claimed that their recent sweeping victory in the Andhra by-polls has proved people’s faith in the party and their rejection of the corruption charges levelled against the late YSR and Jagan by the Congress.

Vijayamma, who met the PM, speaking to reporters after the meeting said that the PM promised to look into the situation.

Accusing a CBI joint director of “leaking information” and thereby putting Jagan’s life at risk, Vijayamma said, “I also told the Prime Minister that taking the name of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in the FIR was a wrong move. I also asked him what was the mistake done by Jagan? Why was he arrested when he was just accused no. 51 in the case? I also asked him why Jagan and his associates are being harassed,” she said.

The Lok Sabha MP from Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh had declared war on the Congress ever since he broke away and formed his own party, the YSR Congress. Jagan’s party had an overwhelming victory, bagging 15 out of the 18 seats, including one Lok Sabha seat, in the recent by-polls. The victory came even as Jagan was incarcerated by the CBI, leading to a Congress rout, further embittering the the two sides.

Vijayamma is scheduled to meet officials at the Chief Vigilance Commission tomorrow, demanding a probe into CBI’s functioning, acting out of “ulterior motives”. She also alleged that Jagan’s life was under threat and necessary steps be taken to protect him.

As for the Presidential election, Vijayamma said the party was yet to take a decision on it and they would decide only after consulting Jagan. Vijayamma said, “There is enough time to decide on this.”

She disclosed that UPA’s Presidential nominee, Pranab Mukherjee, had spoken to her. “He (Pranab) spoke to me when I was in Vishakapatnam on a tour. He sought our party’s support for his Presidential bid. We did not give any commitment to him.”

The YSR Congress has 17 MLAs in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and two MPs in the Lok Sabha.