Andhra CLP authorizes Sonia Gandhi to select its leader

The Congress party in Andhra Pradesh heaved a great sigh of relief when the state’s leadership issue was settled at the Congress Legislature Party that met on Friday.

Jaganmohan Reddy, son of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who could have deepened the crisis, settled to ‘green-flag’ the leadership of K. Rosaiah in the state.

Rosaiah, who took over as the Chief Minister after YSR died in a copter crash three months ago, waited patiently for the things to shape on its own, showing no reactions, the seasoned politician he is.

YSR's supporters have been demanding that his son be made chief minister, ever since his untimely death.

But Jaganmohan seems to have been convinced by central party leaders to stay on as MP. Party sources say he may be offered a berth in the Union Ministry as a Minister of State. The Pulivendla assembly seat, fell vacant by YSR’s death, is to be given to his mother, the widow of YSR, who is right now not ready to accept.

So at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Hyderabad on Friday, it was Jaganmohan, himself an aspirant for the post of chief minister, who moved a resolution giving Sonia Gandhi the authority to pick the new CLP leader. She's expected to select Rosaiah.

When Jagan was asked to move the resolution, there ended all the rumblings and also all speculation of a divided house. His followers too settled: "We wanted Jagan to get the CM gaddi. No disputing that. But at the same time, we will listen to Sonia Gandhi. She is our leader."

The CLP meeting was held under the supervision of two central observers — union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and M. Veerappa Moily.

Mr. Mukherjee later announced that the resolution was supported by 150 MLAs, 49 MLCs and 29 MPs of the party by raising their hands. This development belied earlier expectations that the CLP would unanimously elect Chief Minister K. Rosaiah as its leader after his name was proposed by Mr. Jagan.

Jagan has behaved like a loyal Congressman; his reward for toeing high command line may not be far off.

- Asian Tribune -