YSR's aide meets PM to strengthen Jaganmohan's claim to CM job

K V P Ramachandra Rao, who is leading the campaign for Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's claim to Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministership, today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to strengthen his bid for the state's top job.

Rao, a confidant of the late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was closeted with Singh for 30 minutes at the Prime Minister's Race Course Road residence here.

"The Prime Minister knows everything about the political situation in the state. He is also aware of the people's and party men's sentiments. I do not have to explain the details to him," Rao told reporters after the meeting.

On his discussions with Singh, Rao said the Prime Minister was particularly concerned over the health and the mental state of family members, relatives and friends of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash last week.

"The Prime Minister particularly enquired about their state of health and whether the family members, especially his wife, have resumed their normal life after YSR's sudden demise," Rao said.

He said Singh advised him to devote more time to family members and shared his grief and also asked him to convey his condolences to all family members and supporters of YSR and party workers in the state.

Rao's meeting with Singh came a day after he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who assured the YSR camp that she will consult all concerned, including the Prime Minister, before taking a final decision on the leadership issue in the state.

Rao, who also met AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh to discuss the leadership issue, is expected to meet Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in this regard.

After reaching here on Monday along with some MPs and MLAs from the state, Rao had a meeting with party general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, Veerappa Moily, yesterday.

Moily has said the party leadership will resolve the issue soon after the mourning period ends tomorrow.