Is Jagan behind MLA resignations drama?

Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah appears in trouble again with at least 53 Congress MLAs tendering their resignations in protest against the move to create Telangana. Yet, the question being asked is whether these MLAs belong to the group that opposed Rosaiah’s election as Congress legislature party (CLP) leader.

Andhra Pradesh IT minister K Venkat Reddy set the cat among pigeons when he said that some ministers were encouraging the resignations. “We don’t know what their motive is but it is unfortunate,” he said.

Legislators from Rayalaseema began the resignation in protest against the Congress high command’s move to set up Telangana. Most of those offering to quit are known loyalists of late CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy, and were at the forefront to install his son, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, as his successor. Their move was in vain after the Congress high command backed Rosaiah.

“There is no doubt that the defiance from these MLAs is a move to destabilise the Rosaiah government and send a message to the high command that they have the strength to defy the high command if need be,” said a senior Congress legislator.

At the meeting called to discuss the draft resolution on Telangana, sources quoted Venkat Reddy as saying that some ministers were encouraging the legislators to resign. Rosaiah expressed his helplessness and said he would abide by the high command’s decision.

There is little doubt that the mass resignations have had an impact, with the cabinet
meeting failing to put forward the draft resolution on Telangana.