Now its Jagan's turn to go fasting in AP

Vijayawada, Dec 21: What better way to celebrate your birthday than having a mass gathering of your supporters who are chanting your name as if you are the revered one. Something similar is happening with Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy who is embarking on his 48 hour fast for the cause of farmers in the state.

Jagan turns 38 today and his suppporters are going all out to make this day memorable for the rebel Congress leader. Over four lakh people are expected to turn out for the mega 'deeksha' as he calls it. This comes soon after TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu has taken over the farmers cause and has been forcibly hospitalised on Monday, Dec 20, after his health conditions worsened.

The move has been largely considered as an effort to redeem himself after his rebellious exit from the Congress party and his public spat with the ruling Kiran Kumar Reddy govt in Andhra Pradesh.

Calling itself the 'Laksha deeksha' (laksha means 'a lakh'), the event will see a lakh people turning up to have a glimpse of YSR Reddy's son. Along with numerous farmers, key aides of Jagan like Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, Ambati Rambabu and Y V Subbareddy are overlooking the preparations.

The venue has been named 'YSR Deeksha Pranganam', with a banner proclaiming "Methuku muttam-madama tippam" (Won't touch food-won't go back) with reference to the fasting. He is determined to fast until the govt concedes to his demand to adequately compensate farmers whose crops have been damaged by incessant rains.

Jagan is expected to launch his new party by mid-February and is tentatively called Youth Sramik Ryot (YSR) Congress.

OneIndia News