In a relief to the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh, former party MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy tonight announced that he will not field candidates in the coming elections to fill up the vacancies in the state legislative council.
Those supporting him should vote as per their conscience, he said in an open letter released tonight.
YS Jagan said he would form a party to realise the ideals of his late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and that strengthening it is his priority.
"We feel that we should contest in any election only after strengthening the party to be formed. Hence, we are not thinking of fielding candidates in next month's MLC elections. I appeal to those who love YSR to act as per their conscience," he said.
Jagan said he is writing the letter in the wake of reports that his group will be putting up candidates in the council elections.
Elections for 10 seats from the Local Authorities Constituencies and another 10 from the Assembly quota are scheduled to be held next month while elections to six seats from Graduates and Teachers' constituencies too will be held.
With about 20 party MLAs openly expressing their loyalty to Jagan, there was concern in the Congress over how they will vote as no whip can be issued in the polls.
YSR WAS THE GREATE CHIEFMINISTER OF ANDHRAPRADESH.
