Amid early poll talks, CM Jagan reaches Delhi

VIJAYAWADA: The tour of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to Delhi for two days on March 29 and 30, to meet top brass in the Union government, has raised speculations.

The CM had gone to Delhi on March 17 and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He sought funds for AP and resolution of the long-pending requests of the state that were pending with the Centre. He left for Delhi again on Wednesday evening from Vijayawada by a special flight.

Jagan Mohan Reddy was received by YSRC MPs, leaders and officials when he landed in Delhi.

There have been speculations about Jagan Mohan Reddy opting for early polls, as TS did in 2018, as also about shifting of the CM seat to Vizag. He is also pressing the Centre for an ED probe into the Margadarshi chit scam. Where these would form part of the CM’s present Delhi tour agenda is a matter of speculation.

Jagan Mohan Reddy reportedly held a confidential meeting with Governor S. Abdul Nazir on Monday. Reports are also that he discussed the possibility of dissolving the state assembly shortly.

The CM was scheduled to meet Amit Shah at 9.30 pm on Wednesday. Jagan Mohan Reddy reportedly met Shah late in the night. The meeting was going on between the leaders when the last reports came in.

Notably, Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party leaders were firmly ruling out the possibility of holding early elections in the state. Senior leaders like Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy have clarified that elections would be held as scheduled in April/May next year.

There is also a talk that BRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao advised Jagan Mohan Reddy to opt for early elections in order to consolidate his power in AP. Telangana Assembly polls could take place by the end of this year.

The AP CID is tightening its noose around Eenadu group chairman Ch. Ramoji Rao in relation to the Margadarsi Chit Funds case. The media baron is said to be seeking help from the Centre. The issue has taken a serious turn with the AP CID writing to the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department to step in and take up the probe into the siphoning off of funds and diversion of deposit money collected by Margadarsi Chit Funds to other purposes.

Sources said Jagan Mohan Reddy is likely to seek Centre's support for the ED probe. Another speculation is that in view of the apex court postponing the Amaravati case hearing to July, Jagan Mohan Reddy wants to end his wait and shift the CM seat to Vizag soon. He may seek the Center's cooperation in this respect too.