YSR death: Jagan Mohan begins yatra in Warangal district

Defying high command's directive, Congress MP YS Jagan Mohan today left for his 'Odarpu Yatra' in Warangal district in Telangana to console the families of those who allegedly committed suicide following the death of YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Jagan left for Mahabubabad in Warangal district, from where he will kick-off his six-day yatra, by Hyderabad-Guntur Inter-City Express from the Secunderabad railway station here at about 8am.

He will meet 77 families in 72 villages in the Warangal during his tour and also unveil the statues of his late father at about 40 places, sources said.

Jagan has gone ahead with his yatra despite a directive by the Congress high command which asked him not to undertake the tour in view of the surcharged atmosphere in the region.

"The high command does not approve of it (the yatra). It is not desirable to go there at present. I have told him not to go ahead with the yatra," Union law minister Veerappa Moily, in-charge of party affairs in AP, told PTI yesterday.

Though Jagan has made it clear that his yatra is purely personal without any political element, it is being vehemently opposed by TRS and other Telangana outfits as he is opposed to separate Telangana demand.  

The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and various people's organisations vowed to stop the yatra. Students of Osmania University here and Kakatiya University in Warangal have warned that they will go to any extent to stop the yatra during the six-day tour.

"We will definitely stop Jagan's yatra if he goes to Warangal district," JAC convener C Kodandaram has said.

Pro-Telangana students, lawyers and other sections were gathering at Mahabubabad to stage demonstrations when Jagan kicks off the yatra.

Interestingly, 11 Congress MPs from Telangana region have urged the party high command to direct Jagan to drop his plans as tempers were running high in Telangana.

Meanwhile, police went into a tizzy after they recovered a country-made bomb kept in a bag at the Mahabubabad bus station yesterday. It was later defused.

"The bag contained a country-made bomb which was later defused," a senior police official of the Warangal range said.         Elaborate security arrangements have been made by police at the Secunderabad railway station from where Jagan left for his yatra and also at the places to be visited by him.

Scores of TRS activists and other Telangana protagonists, who were trying to stop Jagan's yatra, have been taken into custody by the police. Hectic activity was witnessed yesterday to dissuade Jagan from going ahead with his tour as police officials have reportedly warned of law and order problems in the region.

"The matter is being considered by the high command. It is a party affair. I can talk about it if it is related to the government. However, I have directed the police to take all precautions in an impartial manner," Rosaiah told reporters yesterday.

He was understood to have discussed the issue with his cabinet colleagues following which agriculture minister N Raghuveera Reddy and home minister P Sabita Reddy held talks with Jagan. They have reportedly urged him to defer the  visit in view of the surcharged atmosphere.

Rajya Sabha member KVP Ramachandra Rao, a close friend of late Rajasekhara Reddy, also held a meeting with Jagan late last night over the yatra.

"You have to ask Jagan," Rao told reporters last night when asked if Jagan was going ahead with his tour.