New Delhi: The Congress has ruled out the possibility of the YSR Congress Party's entry into the INDIA bloc, remaining sceptical of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's recent overtures, even as some Opposition constituents took a positive view of his position.
A Congress strategist, who interacts closely with the bloc on various issues, said, "I do not see how Jagan Mohan Reddy can have a connection with the Congress. If he wants to support us or express concern on the SIR, we have to take a cautious view, as his party had consistently supported the BJP to pass bills and even backed the delimitation-related Constitution amendment bill in April this year."
The strategist added that Reddy might be trying to use his position with the BJP, which is in alliance with the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby differed with the Congress. "Without any substance or proof, people are being targeted, and the ED and CBI are behaving like caged parrots. We wanted everyone other than the NDA to raise the issues related to vote chori. Not that we will come into the INDIA bloc, but we are happy that the YSRCP has taken a stand," he said.
The Trinamool Congress pointed out that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has kept her communication channels open with parties such as the BJD, YSRCP and AAP, who do not get along with the Congress. In her last press conference, Banerjee said these parties have state-level issues with the Congress, but the INDIA bloc should be widened to include these voices.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused Reddy of double standards on election authorities, saying support for constitutional authorities should not depend on political convenience.