Clear battle lines also emerged with reports that many YSR loyalists in the earlier council of ministers were unwilling to work under short-term chief minister K Rosaiah.
The battle for a successor to YS Rajasekhara Reddy became ugly on Sunday when party workers publicly insulted senior leaders unwilling to make YSR's son, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the chief minister.
Clear battle lines also emerged with reports that many YSR loyalists in the earlier council of ministers were unwilling to work under short-term chief minister K Rosaiah. However, the Congress high command and Rosaiah seem to have bought some time with all ministers before being sworn-in at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan in the afternoon.
All the 34 ministers appeared for the swearing-in after YSR's confidante and Rajya Sabha member Ramachandra Rao met AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh. Rao has been spearheading the campaign for Jaganmohan as CM. At least 9 ministers were said to be reluctant to join Rosaiah's new cabinet.
Acting chief minister Rosaiah and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief D Srinivas too discussed the situation with Singh. At a prayer meet earlier, the spat threatened to spill on to the streets when party workers shouted down Srinivas forcing him and leaders including Rosaiah, union ministers Jaipal Reddy and Purandareshwari off the stage.
While all the other leaders trooped out of the hall, Ramachandra Rao tried to plead with workers not to do anything that would hurt Jaganmohan's prospects. "I don't think Sonia Gandhi is not aware of your sentiments, hope she will consider your wishes," he said.
Later, Jaganmohan appealed to workers not to push for their demand. Though the high command sought to restrain Jaganmohan's supporters from openly campaigning for him, the support for Jagan was evident when he returned from Pulivendula. Interestingly, the ministers who gathered at Ramachandra Rao's house before the swearing-in went to greet him before meeting the new CM.
Even though the high command has made it clear it will not consider a successor to YSR till the official mourning is over, Congress legislators are itching to elect a new leader.
Interestingly, former chief minister and veteran N Janardhan Reddy said he thought YSR's son was capable of taking on the responsibility and the central leadership should consider this option.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}