Hyderabad, July 16
The Congress high command appears to be softening its stand on the rebel MP and CM-aspirant YS Jagan Mohan Reddy who has defied the party’s diktat and undertaken his controversial “Odarpu Yatra”.“Jagan has made it clear that it is his personal tour (to meet and console families of those who died of shock or committed suicide following the death of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy in a helicopter crash). The party has nothing to do with it,” AICC General Secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh Veerappa Moily said here today.

Asked by reporters whether any action would be taken against the first-time MP for ignoring the party’s directive not to go ahead with the yatra, he said: “I have nothing more to say.”When pointed out that the restive MP has been taking potshots at Chief Minister K Rosaiah during the road shows, the AICC leader said: “Rosaiah is capable enough to reply to those issues. I need not reply to them.”

Moily’s remarks assume significance in the backdrop of media reports suggesting that the high command was preparing to crack the whip and issue a show-cause notice to Jagan for violating the party discipline.

At present, Jagan is touring East Godavari district, meeting the bereaved families, unveiling his father’s statues and addressing impromptu road-side meetings in a clear demonstration of show of strength.

Though a section of the party leaders have been rooting for strong action against the rebel leader, the high command appears to have adopted a wait-and-watch policy after giving initial indications of a possible disciplinary action.

“We have given him a long rope. Given his propensity for outbursts and impulsive actions, he may well be on a self-destruction path,” a senior Congress leader said.