Opposition leader Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy fumbled at a crucial point during the debate in Assembly on the charges of large scale purchase of lands in the capital region in what he called ‘insider trading’. He began his attack on chief minister on a firm footing listing out the failures of chief minister in getting assurances given to Andhra Pradesh at the time of passage of AP reorganization bill-2014, implemented. He carefully and convincingly constructed his argument how there had been no progress in the construction capital despite CM boasting of participation of China, Malaysia, Singapore etc. Similarly, he convincingly put his argument across to show how little progress was made in getting the steel plant set up in Rayalaseema, funds for Polavaram etc. Jagan was also to the point when broached subject of Naidu’s frequent trips to New Delhi and the “undue praise” the CM lavished on Prime Minister Narendra Modi every time instead of putting pressure on centre for funds.
But, when chief minister turned the table on him, Jagan lost balance. When CM intensified his attack by putting a brave front, which Jagan could not anticipate , that there won’t be any debate till Jagan furnishes the proof for the charges he made against two minister -Pattipati Pullarao and P Narayana, Jagan not only got fumbled, he lost track of his argument. TDP’s effective strategy of fielding all vocal members to attack Jagan from all corners and demand ‘proof first debate later or apology’ totally disarmed Jagan, who is otherwise, an effective and articulate member in the House. His face was ashen. He was at loss of words. A sense that he was caught up in an unexpected padmavyuham authored by chief minister Naidu was evident in the sudden fall in the intensity of his attack. Normally, it is rare for the treasury benches to stall the House demanding response from the Opposition leader. This happened today in AP Assembly. This made Jagan run for shelter. He was visibly shaken by the ” show proof or apologize ‘ demand by chief minister. Except this there was no great strength in the argument of chief minister. Jagan was so enfeebled by the attack that he was not even able to figure out that the CM was dragging Jagan into 34,000 acres of lands gathered from the farmers under land pooling , while Jagan talked of the lands outside this landmass.
Jagan seems to have realized that he was caught up and cornered when all TDP members demanded proof. He seems to have ‘woken up ‘ to the fact that he could not produce the proof at that point of time. So, he put forth a pale argument that all newspaper write tell tale stories and his father YSR volunteered for CBI inquiry in ORR case. His voice became feeble. The tone got weakened. If one closely observes the tenor also got changed. And finally, unable to come out of the Padmavyuham he finally had to hide himself under another pitiable statement that since he could not make the CM convinced for the CBI inquiry he wanted to go ahead on the debate. Since he lost the balance following CM’s aggressive and effective strategy, Jagan could not find a graceful exit from his predicament. Many of his colleagues were aware of the deficiency in Jagan’s strategy. They said Jagan could have simply said, “I have every proof for large scale purchase of lands by TDP ministers, MLAs and leaders. But Assembly is not forum to place the proof. I will furnish if a Judicial inquiry or CBI inquiry is instituted.” Today’s Jagan’s performance, in the words his own trusted MLAs, was below par.
