Taken aback by the decision of as many as 24 party legislators loyal to YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy to quit, Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress warned them against doing so, saying they would also be seen by the people as supporters of corruption.
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana advised the legislators to reconsider their decision, saying it is fraught with serious consequences for them.
Two dozen legislators of Congress, two of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and one of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) have decided to resign to protest inclusion of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's name in the complaint registered by the CBI in a case against his son, Jaganmohan Reddy.
M. Rajamohan Reddy and Sabbam Hari, members of the Lok Sabha from Nellore and Ankapalli, have also decided to submit their resignations, but the Congress did not comment on them.
The decision comes even as CBI is continuing its probe into the alleged illegal assets of Jagan, as the YSR party leader is popularly known. The investigating agency searched his residences and companies during last four days, evoking strong reaction from his loyalists.
Botsa warned legislators from falling into the trap of Jagan. "At a time when a movement is on against corruption, if you choose to side with him (Jagan) you will be seen as supporters of corruption," he said.
The ruling party also tried to clarify that it is not trying to portray late YSR as an accused. Senior leader P. Venkat Rao said the FIR mentioned his name only in the context.
Another leader N. Tulsi Reddy said the decision of the legislators poses no threat to the government.