Like bereaved individuals, beleaguered organizations also need “Odarpu”. Who can understand this better than YS Jagan Mohan Reddy who holds a patent for discovering this unique form of political outreach?
Extending his “Odarpu” Yatra to Delhi, the former Kadapa MP has consoled Congress leadership with some touching words like these: “I am a gentleman. I will not dislodge the government though I have the numbers.” The assurance came as a balm to the bruised souls of Congress bosses.
In tune with the “Indian tradition” of reaching out to the affected families instead of summoning them to nearby “district headquarters to distribute compensation”, the young leader landed at the national capital to personally provide comfort to Congress leadership on its home turf.
Moved by his gesture, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) unanimously adopted a one-line resolution, thanking its one-time bête noir for allowing its government in Andhra Pradesh to stay.
During a marathon meeting of the party’s highest decision-making body, the leaders took note of the magnanimity of Yuva Neta and promised to reciprocate his gesture appropriately.
“Look, he is, after all, a pampered boy prone to tantrums. But, he is generous at heart. Is it not an act of generosity that he does not want to unseat our government despite having the required numbers?” a senior AICC leader said, putting the whole exercise in perspective.
While the dramatic volte face has stunned political circles in the state, veteran Congress-watchers, however, saw it as yet another sign of ongoing self-introspection in the grand old party. The first such signal was available recently when the party publicly admitted that imposition of emergency was a mistake and made critical assessment of its past leaders including Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi.
“The CWC wishes to place on record its appreciation of large-heartedness of Shri Jagan Mohan Reddy in deciding not to disturb our government from serving the people,” the resolution said.
The turn-around came close on the heels of Jagan’s historic speech at Jantar Mantar where he declared himself as “gentleman” and laid bare his merciful and benevolent soul. At a meeting of the party’s core committee, where matters of national importance are discussed, the leaders veered round to the view that they deserved some consolation in the face of continuous onslaught by BJP in the Parliament and outside on corruption issue.
“After receiving “Odarpu”, we now understand its benefits. We are planning to take it up as a national programme and include under Common Minimum Programme,” said a CWC member.
Political observers, news anchors, chat show hosts and telegenic analysts furiously speculated over the impact of this historic development on the state politics. However, going by the diversity of opinions and mutually contradicting media reports, it is not clear what it holds for the future.
Speculation is rife that the surprise bonhomie will eventually lead to anointing Jagan as Chief Minister, as an act of atonement by high command for the anguish and mental agony caused to him since September 3, 2009.
According to another school of thought applicable in the parallel world, since the son of “Maha Neta” is ruling the hearts of millions, he has already earned the coveted position.
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