Jagan the game changer

Six months ago, when the YSRC moved a no-confidence motion against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, 17 MLAs — they were Congress rebel MLAs — were in support of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy. This time, nine Congress MLAs and six TD MLAs supported the YSRC Party’s stand. “It is not a small thing to support Jagan who has been in jail the last six months,” a senior Congress leader said. Such acknowledgement speaks volumes for the indirect gains that accrued to Mr Jagan Mohan and his party through the no-confidence motion route.

When the YSRC moved its motion, 30 Congress MLAs had supported Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, but at the time of voting, the Congress managed to woo back half that number. This time, too, the Congress leaders tried to retrieve a few of those supporting Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, but failed. Surprisingly, Congress MLA Jogi Ramesh, who is a strong supporter of the Chief Minister, also joined the YSRC camp. YSRC MLA Gurnadha Reddy said some more Congress MLAs would be joining their party, the next few days possibly offering proof of his prediction.

YSRC leader and former minister M.V. Mysoora Reddy said that with Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy having the support of nine Congress MLAs and six TD MLAs, was indication enough that the leaders of both these parties did not inspire faith. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy has no power now, but even then, several Congress and TD MLAs are coming out in support of him, as he has a large following in public. Even though the Congress government survived the No-Confidence Move, the party loses nine MLAs, as these MLAs face disqualification, turning the government into a minority.

Though the rebel MLAs “suriving” with his government, the CM is a beneficiary only to an extent; he is a loser too, as he has lost nine MLAs to Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy. Mr Naidu has not only lost seven MLAs but he has also to face the allegations that the TD has colluded with the Congress. Remaining neutral at the time of voting, Mr Naidu gave a weapon to the YSRC and the TRS.

Both these parties are alleging that the TD colluded with the Congress long back — a fact that was proven on the floor of the Assembly on Friday night.

The TRS neither gains nor no loses. But, in a way, it emerged as a loser. TD rebel MLA K. Hariswar Reddy, who is supporting the TRS, had “absconded” at the time of voting.

The BJP, CPI and the CPM had no prominent role in this episode. The MIM, which abstained from voting, gave the BJP a chance to criticise it.