Telugu News 10-07-07

Jagan enters scene in PJR row

The clashes between the family members of Khairatabad MLA P Janardhan Reddy and Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy took an interesting twist with the entry of the Chief Minister's son Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.

Jagan, who operates from Bangalore, was the first person to know about the clashes and the injuries caused to his uncle Y S Ravindra Reddy. He became furious and reportedly asked his supporters in Hyderabad to consolidate all the party ranks against PJR. Within a couple of hours, Jagan Yuva Sena activists plunged into the scene, ransacked the houses of PJR supporters, organised rallies against him and burnt his effigies.

Simultaneously, Jagan is learnt to have organised the young leaders of the Congress in Hyderabad to work out plans to cut down the image and influence of PJR in the city, so that the party would not suffer any major losses even if PJR is expelled from the party. Home Minister K Jana Reddy's son K Raghuveer Reddy, Mines Minister Sabita Indra Reddy's son Karthik Reddy and BC Welfare Minister Mukesh Goud's son Vikram have pledged their support to Jagan. Above all, PCC general secretary Danam Nagender, who is nursing a grouse against PJR for obstructing his entry into the Legislative Council, has found it a right opportunity to run down PJR and assured Jagan that he would decimate the MLA, given a free hand. No other MLA from Telangana, too, has dared to come to the support of PJR, fearing reprisal from Jagan and YSR.

So, it is bad time for PJR!

Behind The Scene: YSR clips Bhanu's wings!

Looks like the honeymoon of Special secretary in the Chief Minister's peshi M G V K Bhanu with Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy has come to an end.

Bhanu, son-in-law of former Union Minister P V Rangaiah Naidu and an Assam-cadre IAS officer, entered the Chief Minister's peshi, thanks to the recommendation from Chief Minister's friend and advisor K V P Ramachandra Rao. Hitherto, Bhanu had been enjoying enormous powers, playing instrumental role in the execution of irrigation projects and befriending the contractors. His cousin K V Rao (another son-in-law of Rangaiah Naidu) also played a key role in the government as Principal Secretary, Infrastructure and Investment department.

However, of late, the Chief Minister has understood the dubious credentials of these two IAS officers, who minted money using their clout. So, he started cutting them to size. While K V Rao sought voluntary retirement from service to join Nagarjuna Constructions Company, Bhanu is waiting for a right opportunity. The Chief Minister ordered that Bhanu was stripped of two important subjects -- ports and airports, which would now be transferred to Principal Secretary Jannat Hussain. Gradually, he is likely to be sent back to his Assam cadre, sources in the CMO say.

Fact Sheet: PJR-YSR tussle takes T-turn

The feud between Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy's family members and that of Khairatabad MLA P Janardhan Reddy has taken Telangana turn, what with the pro-Telangana forces stepping into the scene and making it more complicated.

A large number of Telangana activists, employees, students and Telangana Rashtra Samithi leaders called on PJR on Monday and expressed their solidarity with him. Even TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, who had little regard for PJR, came to the police station personally to support PJR. These leaders have smeared the Telangana colour to the family feud, saying PJR is being targetted by YSR, only because the latter has been raising GO 610 and other the issue concerning Telangana and that it clearly showed the utter contempt towards Telangana leaders.

The visit of so-many Telangana leaders to the police station in support of PJR raised many an eyebrow and triggered speculations over the future course of action he might take. It is evident that the TRS leaders are planning to elicit support of PJR in the forthcoming Greater Hyderabad elections and his open confrontation with the Chief Minister has come at a right time. Phew, what a political game!

Spy Report: KK proposes, YSR disposes!

Pradesh Congress Committee president K Kesava Rao has found himself in a tricky situation, following the unwarranted confrontation between Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and Khairatabad MLA P Janardhan Reddy.

Kesava Rao has been a close friend of PJR and many a time, he came to the latter's rescue when the Chief Minister was contemplating action against him on several issues like Pothireddypadu. In fact, there were allegations in the past that Kesava Rao himself was behind the dissidence stand of Hyderabad Brothers – PJR and Marri Shashidhar Reddy, but whenever such a suspicion arose, Kesava Rao displayed his loyalty towards YSR.

This time, too, the PCC president tried to intervene and pacify both the YSR and PJR camps. He had a telephonic talk with PJR in the afternoon and forced him to agree for a compromise with the Chief Minister. However, he could not convince the Chief Minister for a compromise, as the latter was too firm on taking action against PJR.

Apparently, YSR was upset when his brother Y S Ravindra Reddy called him up and broke down over phone while narrating the incident. The Chief Minister immediately called up the top police officials to arrest PJR and take him to task. "I cannot spare this fellow (PJR) this time. He has crossed all his limits. I am confident I can convince the high command for a firm action against him," YSR reportedly told Kesava Rao.

Now, the PCC president is in a dilemma on what to do. He is planning to submit a neutral report to the Congress high command and wait for its direction.