YCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who became notorious with his `reverse tendering’ in irrigation projects during his regime, seems to be now following `reverse’ customs in the proceedings of the AP Assembly. Though YCP members were present on the first day of the assembly session to take oath, they were absent during the second day and boycotted the Speaker’s election.
Floating normal customary practice of taking newly elected Speaker to the chair by the representatives of all political parties present in the Assembly, Jagan is not only absent, but also directed all his MLAs not to attend the session.
Following Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s directive, Legislative Affairs Minister Payyavula Keshav met senior member of the YCP Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy on Friday and informed him about the Speaker election. He suggested the YCP leader take part in the Speaker’s election and also inform the same to their leader Jaganmohan Reddy. But Jagan reversed the customary practice and kept away from the house.
YCP circles are indicating that Jagan was unable to digest humiliating digest in the recent polls and unable to come out from his Tadepalli palace. Though he was hesitant to attend the assembly on the first day to take oath, he was advised it would be better to complete the formality when a gentleman like Gorantla Butchayya Choudhary was in the chair.
Otherwise, they cautioned him that it will be difficult for him to face Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, to take oath later at his chamber, as all his family members were harassed by police during the YCP regime. Moreover, to take oath he was reportedly to plead to Chandrababu Naidu to ensure there would be no `provocative’ gestures from TDP members.
According to sources a key leader telephoned Payyavula Keshav on Thursday night and pleaded to allow Jagan’s car inside the assembly and assure he will not be heckled by TDP members inside the house. After getting assurance from Keshav with the consent of Chandrababu only Jagan was present for a few minutes in the assembly.
In the present circumstances, Jagan seems to be unlikely to attend assembly proceedings in near future. In contrast to 2019 polls, when TDP’s strength fell to 23 seats, Chandrababu participated in the Speaker’s election. On behalf of the party, Achchennaidu was sent to accompany the Speaker to his seat. After that Chandrababu congratulated. But Jagan was inclined to exhibit such decency.
