The emergence of Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav
as a key player in Uttar Pradesh politics could see YSR Congress chief
Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy attempting to forge a long term relationship in
the run-up to the 2014 general elections.
Anakapalli MP Sabbam Hari, told Media
that while Mr. Mulayam Singh had a good working relationship with TDP
president N. Chandrababu Naidu, Yadav junior was friendly with Mr.
Reddy. When Mr. Reddy undertook a train journey to New Delhi for his
‘Jaladeekhsa' last year, SP workers, led by the local MLA, gave him a
rousing welcome at Jhansi railway station.
Mr. Yadav,
in an interview to a TV channel, stated that Mr. Reddy was his friend
and colleague in the Parliament, reflecting the rapport between them.
Their friendship dates back to 2009 when both were elected to the Lok
Sabha. Mr. Reddy was in regular contact with Mr. Yadav when he launched
the new political party after severing ties with the Congress. He had
called up the SP leader to compliment him for his party's spectacular
electoral victory in UP.
Mr. Reddy
is looking for support from non-Congress parties so that they could
forge some kind of alliance after the 2014 general elections. He is also
in touch with leaders of other parties such as Trinamool Congress and
Nationalist Congress Party. The SP leaders have been closely watching
Mr. Reddy's political activities, particularly the ‘Odarpu yatra'.
Surveys commissioned by various political parties across the country are
said to be one reason for the SP leadership to look at YSR Congress
chief as a force to reckon with in AP.
