I am India’s most credible leader: Babu

Express News Service
First Published : 11 Dec 2010 06:11:51 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Dec 2010 10:24:57 AM IST

HYDERABAD: “I am the most credible politician in the country,” Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu claimed here on Friday.

In an informal chat with reporters in the lobbies of the Assembly, Naidu said: “No one can doubt my credibility. I am the most credible leader in the country.

The other one is Farooq Abdullah.”

When a reporter pointed out that credibility was a big problem for the TDP because neither Andhra nor Telangana people were believing him, Naidu shot back: “What do you mean by credibility? Is it looting the state and sharing the money with followers?”

Naidu claimed that he was the most credible leader but lost the last Assembly elections due to the presence of the Praja Rajyam and forging an alliance with the TRS.

The anti-Congress votes were grabbed by the PRP, Naidu said and pointed out that the Congress won 33 Lok Sabha seats but only 156 Assembly seats.

The former chief minister also claimed that he had provided transparent administration and people had faith in him.

“I have faced several crises in the past and being out of power does not bother me much,” he said.

He said it was the Congress which lost credibility and was facing serious leadership crisis in the state.

Because of the inefficiency of the Congress people were suffering a lot, he alleged.

Earlier in the day Naidu participated in a dharna organised by party MLAs at Gun Park on farmers’ problems and demanded that the state government purchase discoloured paddy immediately to rescue rain-hit farmers.

Naidu, along with party MLAs, staged a sit-in in the lobbies of the Assembly after the Assembly adjourned for the day demanding that the House discuss issues of farmers.


Comments

the fellow who says that is the first crook
By farahn
12/11/2010 11:32:00 AM

Jagan to focus now on coastal Andhra

Express News Service
First Published : 11 Dec 2010 06:02:58 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Dec 2010 10:48:54 AM IST

HYDERABAD: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has confined himself to Hyderabad and Kadapa after quitting the Congress, will now focus on coastal Andhra.

As his residence is in Hyderabad and the native place is Idupulapaya, Jagan's activity is mostly concentrated in the Rayalaseema and Hyderabad areas.

To spread his activities, Jagan's followers are planning to open an office in Vijayawada so that there would be some activity of Jagan in coastal Andhra districts till such time Jagan officially launches his new party.

According to sources, Jagan, as a new messiah, will arrive with a bang and declare the launch of his party at a huge public gathering possibly in the Andhra region.

With Rayalaseema fully backing him, Jagan now plans to create an impact in coastal Andhra.

The first public meeting of Jagan may be held in Vijayawada or any other coastal district where he will declare the launch of his party.

Meanwhile, Jagan is likely to make an announcement on Telangana. The party's agenda will speak on Telangana, say the sources.

For this, Jagan will wait till December 31 when Justice BN Srikrishna Committee will submit its report. Then Jagan will see the reaction of the Centre.

"If the Srikrishna Committee recommends statehood for Telangana and the Centre accepts it, Jagan will take a decision accordingly. If the Centre puts Telangana on the back-burner, then Jagan's reaction will be different," the sources say.

Jagan's close aide and Congress MLA Konda Surekha is of the view that Jagan will wait till December 31 to speak on Telangana.

"Jagan will definitely react on Telangana. His reaction will be based on how the Centre will treat T after December 31," she adds.

With regard to the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, Surekha says that she will not create any trouble for it in the Assembly.

"The present government is functioning because of YS Rajasekhara Reddy's efforts. I will fully cooperate with the new government on the floor of the House. Outside the Assembly I will follow the leadership of Jagan," she declares and reiterates that she will remain in the party.

Jagan makes inroads into TD bastion

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 08 Dec 2010 02:22:30 AM IST
Last Updated : 08 Dec 2010 09:02:46 AM IST

BADVEL (KADAPA): Strangely, one can not find a YSR statue in Badvel unlike in many parts of the state. The only statue of a prominent political leader the town has is that of the late Telugu Desam leader and former minister B Veera Reddy. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s followers are scouting for a suitable location to install a YSR statue. There are no YSR statues on the Badvel-Jammalamadugu road. Those existing are in the interior villages.

The reason for it is that the Badvel- Jammalamadugu section has been the stronghold of the TDP and other anti- YSR forces. Jagan followers are now searching for suitable places to install YSR statues on this route. They are also searching for a political space for themselves in the area.

“I transport around 200 passengers everyday from Jogireddypalle to Badvel.

And, most of them talk about Jagan,” said an autorickshaw driver, B Danam. V Krishna, a mason in Badvel, said that he had supported the Praja Rajyam last time and decided to support Jagan next time.

In Mydukur, represented by minister DL Ravindra Reddy, a degree student Irfan said that the youth would support Jagan. He also hinted at some Telugu Yuvata leaders and activists joining Jagan’s party. Several voters in Mydukur were unhappy with the `non-performance’ of Ravindra Reddy in the last six years. “No major work has been taken up in Mydukur in six years,” said another student, G Chinna.

Obulesu, who was participating in a rasta roko at the Mydukur centre demanding categorisation of Scheduled Castes, declared that this time he would vote for Jagan’s party. But, Jagan has not made his stand clear on classification of SCs. “Categorisation and Jagan’s party are two separate issues. Do not club them and do not confuse me,” Obulesu shot back.

Surprisingly, several people refer to Jagan with respect as ‘Jagan sir’. Kullayappa, a petty trader in Jammalamadugu, said YSR was like a god to him.

“Jagan’s new party will be god’s own party,” he remarked.

Asked about the nature and personality of Jagan, a large number of people in Kadapa district had no complaints against the young leader. “Do not think that Kadapa means bombs. Jagan is not a rowdy. He has always been kind to us and has never hurt anyone,” Ramasubba Reddy, a farmer, said.

“Jagan may be aggressive at times but is growing gentle. Did you not notice a perceptible change in YSR’s attitude after he became chief minister? Jagan will be fully mature after he launches his party,” said M Ramachandra Reddy. But how much and how far and wide will Jagan’s new party make an impact? As of now, he is enjoying the support of a majority of Christians, Muslims and Reddys. If the trend continues, Jagan is sure to dent the prospects of the ruling Congress in Rayalaseema.

It will also depend on how many voters he cam wean away from TDP’s influence.

There are some who wished that Telangana should be separated so that Jagan would emerge an undisputed leader of Rayalaseema. “Let us be rid of Telangana. Our headache will go.

Rayalaseema will then develop,” hoped an employee of Transco.


Comments
RAMAOJI RAO CHANCHA , FOOLISH MINISTER D.L.R. CAN NOT DO ANY THING. JAGAN WILL COME TO THE POWER WITH SUPPORT OF A.P. PEOPLE. AND THEN DLR FINISH.
By VENKAT
12/8/2010 3:06:00 PM

ys jagan will become grate leader then soniyagandhi
By Ratnakumar
12/8/2010 10:49:00 AM

Yes Christians extend support to Jagan becuase they all will are beneficiars of late Y.Samuel Rajashekar Reddy(YSR). Some Reddy group may support him becuase Y.Samuel Rajashekar Reddy(YSR) wants to divide Reddy and Kamma community. Muslims too support Jagan because Y.Samuel Rajashekar Reddy(YSR) wants to divide Hindu and muslims, he dont have to care if Hindus and Muslims dies together as well.
By venkat
12/8/2010 9:35:00 AM
Post your comments

‘Even Sonia can’t defeat Jagan in Pulivendula’

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 07 Dec 2010 03:51:56 AM IST
Last Updated : 07 Dec 2010 07:58:03 AM IST

PULIVENDULA: The four-lane road from Pulivendula to Kadapa saves time and spares locals the trouble of having to negotiate bumpy routes. It is a standing testimony to the development witnessed during the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s regime. In a way, it also points to the smooth ride ahead for the departed leader’s son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in these parts. YSR’s varied programmes ranging from free power and housing for the poor to the Yogi Vemana University and the IIIT have all had an impact on the people.

“Cutting across party lines, Rajasekhara Reddy helped all. I have received free power, a house and an individual toilet. I want to vote for Jagan,” says B Jangireddy of Teegalavaripalle.

In fact, Jangireddy is a sympathiser of the TDP. “But, I want to vote for Jagan’s new party.

No doubt, Rayalaseema belongs to Jagan,” he asserts and adds with a pause: “Other TDP sympathisers too want to join Jagan’s new party.” If the Congress wants Agriculture Minister and YSR’s brother YS Vivekananda Reddy to take on Jagan in Pulivendula in the next elections, who will the people vote for? “No doubt Vivekananda Reddy is a gentleman. He is a good leader.

But people will vote for Jagan alone,” Jangireddy answers. “Vivekananda Reddy is a good man. But, the era of such politics is long gone,” chips in Ramireddy of Kattuluru.Ramireddy further believes there’s none on either the Congress side or in the TDP who can give a contest to either Jagan or his mother Vijayamma. “Whoever it is, be it TDP’s MV Mysoora Reddy or the others, they don’t even have an outside chance of winning in Kadapa Lok Sabha,” he avers as does M Basha, a tailor in Pulivendula. If anything, the people want Jagan to launch his party as soon as possible and get a new symbol. “If he gets the symbol in the lastminute, the voters will be confused,” Basha fears. All of them are unanimous in their opinion that Jagan is YSR’s heir apparent.

“Legally or politically, any which way you look at it, a son is always the heir not brother,” S Subrahmanyam, a farmer from Khazipet, argues.

They also believe that Jagan can hit the Congress hard. “YSR was just an individual but didn’t he lead Congress to victory twice,” B Venkateswara Reddy, a degree student, points out. But it is a farmer Nagi Reddy who sums up the mood in Jagan’s turf: “Even Sonia Gandhi cannot defeat Jagan in Pulivendula”.


Comments

arey.. indian donkey guys you and your sonia , ramoji, vh, kk, dlr, tulasi just like peope can not remove single hair of SHOTGUN "JAGAN" THE GREAT.
By VENKAT
12/8/2010 3:32:00 PM

rey jagan ga, ninnnu vongopette time vochindi AP people ki, party pettevante addanga vongapedataru ninnu janalu, CM seat nee babu sommu kadu
By indianguy
12/8/2010 12:57:00 AM

Jagan, Pulivendula puli.
By md.hameed
12/7/2010 4:52:00 PM

on her own sonia & rahul cannot win a councillor seat anywhere in the country,pity the undevolped raebarelli and amethi elected them because of congress legacy unless they are no chance of winning in any election.
By manjunath
12/7/2010 10:12:00 AM

All parties let us think ap is forward or backward.so many problams no body is not thinking about people even sonia also
By Anjan kumar
12/7/2010 9:59:00 AM

Does Kadapa’s heart beat for Jagan?

V V Balakrishna
First Published : 06 Dec 2010 04:17:25 AM IST
Last Updated : 06 Dec 2010 11:03:47 AM IST

KADAPA: A group of Muslims, around 10 of them including some women, were offering prayers at the famous Ameen Peer Dargah here in the morning. A few yards away from them was another group seeking the blessings of the clerics in the dargah to rid themselves of evil influences and they were all Hindus. There was yet another group of Muslims volunteering to help the devotees at the dargah and they all wore saffron caps! The dargah exemplifies the Hindu- Muslim harmony and peaceful co-existence the city of Kadapa is known for.

The two communities, interestingly, seem to show the same kind of unity when it comes to supporting the family of the son of the soil, the late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, which amply reflects in the discussions among some youths not very far from the dargah.

“I am a die hard fan of YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

I will extend my full support to Jagan Mohan Reddy,” said Mohammad Bilal, a cloth merchant, who exclusively sells Sherwanis on Ameer Peer Road. Bilal has a reason for this: “Rajasekhara Reddy had developed not only Kadapa but the entire State. I am confident that the young Reddy too, like his father, will develop the state,” Bilal declared.

Muslims, who have a sizable presence in Rayalaseema and are the deciding factor in the elections, have stood by YSR’s family so far and ensured their victory in all the elections. But with Jagan quitting the Congress now, the million dollar question is: Will they still support Jagan, even if he forged an alliance with the BJP? “Whether Jagan is going to have an alliance with the BJP is not yet clear. And it does not matter for us, as long as Jagan remains independent.

Muslims will vote for Jagan’s party, even if he strikes an alliance with the BJP,” felt another youth Ahmed.

“Muslims will give a thought to it only when the issue arises,” was how Bilal reacted initially but hastened to add, “Muslims will support Jagan irrespective of his seat-sharing with the BJP.” “There is a BJP government in the neighbouring Karnataka too,” he said indicating that Muslims were not totally against the BJP.

On the other hand, the Reddy community in the district seems to be eager to own the party even before Jagan has launched it. “Jagan should announce the party soon and take revenge against Sonia Gandhi,” Ramakrishna Reddy, a youth, reacted angrily.

“The Congress in the state owes its existence to YSR. But the party has ditched the family of such a great leader,” lamented Meegada Ramachandra Reddy. “Why should Jagan continue in the party which has no love lost for YSR’s family? Entire Seema will support Jagan,” a confident Ramachandra argued. Many Reddys are hopeful that Jagan will become the chief minister.

But Kondaiah, a cobbler, gave a different version.

“By winning some seats Jagan cannot hope to become the chief minister. TRS chief Chandrasekhar Rao is an example for this.

People are vexed with the squabbles in the Congress.

There is no governance and no public representative is concerned about the plight of the SCs. I think the split in the Congress vote will help Naidu become the chief minister,” Kondaiah analysed.

Some feel that Jagan should change his stand on Telangana to realise his chief ministerial aspirations. “Jagan will get full support in Rayalaseema and Andhra. But he should soften his stand on Telangana, then only he will become the chief minister,” remarked Vijayakumar Reddy.

Jagan taking the United AP stand was a hasty decision, said Balaji Reddy, an unemployed youth.

However, some hardcore fans of Jagan are hopeful that he would issue a fresh statement on Telangana before launching his new party.

“There are a large number of followers for both YSR and Jagan in Telangana. I am sure Jagan will take a suitable stand on Telangana,” Ramachandra Reddy said.

Asked whether Jagan would cause a dent in the traditional vote bank of the TDP in Rayalaseema, P Mohan Reddy, a part-time employee, said: “It is too early to come to such a conclusion.

You will see Jagan’s force once he launches his party. Jagan should name the new party as YSR Congress.”

With fresh hopes, TDP set for show of strength

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 01 Dec 2010 04:38:16 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Dec 2010 11:23:49 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Delighted over the Congress being in disarray, the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is fancying its chances of ruling the state again.

As a show of strength, the TDP has announced a massive rally in Hyderabad in December. It intends to focus on exposing the Congress’ corruption, more precisely the 2G spectrum scam.

Simultaneously, it is preparing to take on YS Jagan Mohan Reddy showing him as the beneficiary of the ‘corrupt wealth’ of YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

At a meeting with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu at his residence here today, party seniors came up with several ideas from among which Naidu liked the rally against Congress’ corruption.

Leaders of all friendly parties will be invited to the rally.

Though the TDP wanted to wait and watch the unfolding scenario in the Congress, at least till the developments reach a decisive stage, before coming out with an action plan, it also sees the possibility of the Congress thrusting mid-term polls on the people, and hence the need to act with some urgency.

For the moment, the TDP is waiting for the fallout of the cabinet formation tomorrow and the Jagan’s moves to launch his political party.

“Jagan is a wounded soldier and will not keep quiet. He may topple the government and the TDP is prepared to meet any eventuality,” TDP senior leader M Narasimhulu told Express after attending the meeting with Naidu.

The TDP has organisational structure and is ready to face elections any time. It was Jagan who had no structure at all, the TDP leaders pointed out.

For the record, the TDP leaders said there was little they could do with regard to the ongoing develoments in the Congress. They would mainly focus on people’s issues. “We will fight for the cause of beedi workers, junior lecturers and other issues,” TDP politburo member N Janardhan Reddy said.

However, the TDP is still in a dilemma whether to take the Congress or Jagan as its main rival. “Still the Congress is the main rival for us,” Janardhan Reddy said. The TDP leadership is of the opinion that Jagan may turn out to be another Chiranjeevi by ending up with around 30 seats.

However, the TDP will make a reassessment after Jagan comes out with his new party. “Whether it is Jagan or Congress, it is immaterial for us. We will be identified with the people,” another TDP leader said.