AP Cong's dilemma: to blame YSR or not

Hyderabad, Apr 9: The ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh today appeared to be distancing itself from the corruption allegations surrounding the tenure of the late Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

YSR's son and Kadapa MP, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is facing corruption cases. "I have already said that ministers (of the YSR cabinet) have to take collective responsibility for cabinet decisions. But no one needs to take the responsibility if any behind-the-scene activity had taken place. An inquiry (by CBI) is on, and the truth will come out," state Congress president Botsa Satyanarayana told reporters here today.

He was replying to questions on the recent comments by some party leaders that Rajasekhara Reddy can not escape the blame in connection with allegations involving Jagan. He evaded a direct reply when asked whether he saw the former Congress Chief Minister as corrupt. The truth would come out in the inquiry, and nothing could be attributed to anyone now, he said.

To another question, the state Congress president said that Rajasekhara Reddy was a product of Congress, and Jagan did not inherit the political legacy of his father. The debate as to whether to blame Rajasekhara Reddy or not has started within Congress of late, with some leaders suggesting that allegations against Jagan cannot be seen in isolation. Satyanarayana would be touring Kadapa for two days from tomorrow to review preparation for the coming bypolls to 18 assembly seats.

PTI