NEW DELHI: With some Congress MLAs airing dissenting voice in the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said there was need for "discipline" among partymen and denied any differences with Cudappa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy. "There is a need for discipline in the party workers.
Discipline is more important than individuals," Rosaiah said when asked about three MLAs from the Cuddappa region who had spoken out against party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a few days ago. Rosaiah was referring to the statement of Cuddappa MLAs C Adinarayana Reddy, G Srikant Reddy and B Gurunath Reddy who said they would not even spare Congress President Sonia Gandhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh if government schemes are not properly implemented in their region.
Talking about constant speculation about his relationship with Jagan, Rosaiah said, "I have no differences of opinion with Jagan. He is like my son.
He is in fact younger than my youngest son. So there may be some age gap.
His perception may be different from that of mine." Jagan was an aspirant to the Chief Ministership after his father''s untimely death in a helicopter crash last year but Congress appointed Rosaiah.
Referring to his age and that of Jagan, Rosaiah said, "Jagan can run long distance and jump over a fence.
He is young. How can you expect me to do such things at this age? How can I compete with him?" The Chief Minister said it was "not abnormal" for members of a 125-year old political party with a large base to have differences of opinion. "But the final decision is always that of the party president," he added.
On Jagan''s ''vodarpu yatra'' tour of Warangal to meet families whose members died over shock after his father''s death, Rosaiah said the former CM''s son was free to tour whichever part of the state he wanted to. When queried about some opposition to the tour from locals and the security threat perceptions, the Chief Minister said security would be provided by the district administration and the local police.
"I am not saying whether he should go or not go. Jagan has to make his own tour plans.
He is free to take his own decisions," he said. Asked if he discussed Jagan''s activities with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the Chief Minister replied in the negative.
