M A I N   N E W S

Jagan has assets worth Rs 365 cr
Suresh Dharur/TNS

Jagan, whose party is facing its maiden political battle, declared that he did not own a vehicle. The 38-year-old industrialist-turned-politician and son of charismatic former Chief Minister late YS Rajasekhar Reddy submitted his nomination papers, along with the affidavit, before the Returning Officer at Kadapa. Jagan’s mother, Vijayamma is also seeking re-election from Pulivendula Assembly seat.

Before filing his papers, Jagan visited his father’s grave at the family estate in Idupulapaya, besides seeking the blessings of his mother. Accompanied by a large number of his supporters, he arrived at the office of the Returning Officer in a massive procession. He was accompanied by Konda Surekha and Karunakakar Reddy, the Congress MLAs owing allegiance to him, and actress-turned-politician Roja.

From a small-time realtor, who used to occasionally help his father in poll campaigns to a high-profile industrialist with interests in power, infrastructure, cement and media, Jagan’s rise has been phenomenal and so were the controversies surrounding him.

The growth of his business empire is only matched by the brazenness of his political ambitions and Jagan has often been under attack by Opposition parties for “irregularities” in business deals. The Opposition charge is that his empire has been built through questionable means. Jagan has been projecting himself as the sole successor to his father’s political legacy.

5-fold jump in 2 yrs!

* When Jagan first entered the poll fray in April 2009 under the watchful eyes of his father, he had declared assets of Rs 77.4 crore.

* On Friday, he declared assets of Rs 365.68 crore, a nearly five-fold growth in two years

* As per I-T returns submitted by YSR before the 2004 elections when Jagan was yet to enter politics, Jagan’s assets were worth merely Rs 9.18 lakh.