Cong MPs threaten to quit over raids on Jagan

Hyderabad: Yet another crisis seems to be staring at the Kiran Kumar Reddy-led Congress government in Andhra Pradesh as about two dozen MLAs of the party, who are now sailing with YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, are planning to resign from their posts protesting the CBI raids on the Kadapa MP's businesses.

About 14 MLAs and an MLC held an emergency meeting at Jagan's residence in Hyderabad on Friday to discuss their plan of action even as they lashed out at the state and Central governments over the manner in which the MP was being targeted in a "political witch-hunt".

"We are ready to resign from our posts if the situation arises," the MLAs announced at the end of the meeting even as Jagan, who was on a tour of Krishna district, spoke to them over phone and reportedly asked them to "be prepared".

The Jagan camp is said to be trying to enlist support of some more MLAs from the Congress to push the Kiran Kumar Reddy government into a deeper crisis.

The government is already beleaguered over the Telangana issue with 15 MLAs from the region submitting their resignations for the second time while 12 ministers continue to play truant.

With pressure mounting from the pro-Telangana forces more MLAs from TDP and other parties in the region too are expected to put in their papers yet again though the Congress MLAs are not so keen to follow suit this time.

It may be recalled that Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar rejected resignations of 101 MLAs, including those of 12 ministers, when they were submitted last month.

But, the sudden developments related to Jagan have prompted the ruling party MLAs on his side to up the ante and unsettle the Congress government.

The Jagan-loyal MLAs have decided to undertake a bus yatra in different parts of the state soon to "expose the nefarious political conspiracy" of the Congress in unleashing the CBI against him.

"Why is the CBI acting in such undue haste in Jagan's case when there are scores of other cases pending for years? It is only to damage Jagan's reputation that the CBI raids are being carried out," the MLAs alleged.