Azad’s comments boomerang on him

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AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad’s observations that Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy could have become Union minister and later the CM if he stayed back in the Congress have landed him and the party in an embarrassing situation.

Mr Azad had also said Jagan landed in trouble after he quit the party. Both the YSR Congress and the TD launched a scathing attack against the Congress based on Mr Azad’s remarks, forcing him to eat his own words. However, Mr Azad blamed the local media for not understanding his comments about Jagan's arrest, which, he said on Monday, was imminent whether or not he continued in the Congress. But, he was silent on his crucial remarks about Jagan’s future had he continued in the Congress.

“It is a shame for the Congress. Does Mr Azad want to say that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi would have rewarded Jagan, ignoring his corruption and financial frauds, if he remained loyal,” TD MLC Rajendra Prasad asked. The TD took objection to Mr Azad’s contention that Jagan would have become the CM some day but for his impatience that led to his quitting of Congress.

On the other hand, Ms Y.S. Vijayalakshmi, who hit the roads to continue the party’s campaign following her son’s arrest, turned Mr Azad’s comments to her advantage. She alleged that Mr Azad himself revealed the evil designs of the Congress to target Jagan because he walked out of the party. Mr Azad’s comments came as a surprise to the ruling party leaders also. A senior minister said the statements added strength to the rivals’ charge that Jagan’s cases would have never seen light had he remained in the Congress.