Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy considered himself the natural occupant of the Chief Minister's gaddi in Andhra Pradesh. His rise in the shadow of his father, the all-powerful Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who ruled the State during 2004-2009, was steep, although below the radar .
Jagan emerged as the power centre for budding businessmen and politicians during the height of YSR's regime. He attracted investors into his businesses and loyalists backing his political ambitions. He built a business conglomerate consisting of Bharati Cement, Sandur Power Company, Sakshi newspaper and TV channel. He became a Lok Sabha MP from Kadapa in 2009, marking his transformation into a politico-business heavyweight.
Political uncertainty
The sudden death of YSR in a helicopter accident in September 2009 plunged the State into political uncertainty. The succession, though the circumstances were tragic, did not take place as anticipated by Mr Jagan, who left no stone unturned in his pursuit.
Today, the rebellious and belligerent son of YSR, who has been charged with corruption and accumulation of illegal assets running into thousands of crores, finds himself counting the prison bars of the Chenchalguda jail. The CBI arrested him on Sunday and the Court sent him to 14-day judicial remand on Monday. The steady fall in his businesses and fortunes are a consequence of his own actions. Jagan, who will turn 40 this December, tried to do what his political heavyweight father, YSR did not dare do openly — challenge the authority of the High Command and Ms Sonia Gandhi.
Initially, his defiance was in the form of touring the State ( Odarpu Yatra , consoling the families that had lost a member after the untimely death of YSR) and eulogising the pro-poor schemes so successfully implemented by his father .
Ambitious politician
Driven to the wall, Jagan broke away from the Congress in 2010. He floated a party called YSR Congress in February 2011. He weaned away 17 loyalists and put the Kiran Kumar Reddy Government in a spot. But, Telugu filmstar, Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party, with its 18 MLAs, saved the Government.
His political journey, which began in 2010, will see its biggest test in the June 12 bye-elections to 18 constituencies. The results will clearly determine his political survival. Political analysts predict an easy verdict in his favour. The arrest is seen as adding to a sympathy wave . The timing of Jagan's arrest is being seen in political circles as a move to prevent desertions from the Congress .
CBI probe
The CBI, following directions from the High Court, launched a massive probe into the illegal assets of Jagan in August 2011. The main charge is that Jagan attracted investments from industrialists and businessmen using a combination of ‘pressure and lure' in return for various favours from his father's Government.
In the spotlight was VANPIC (Vodarevu and Nizampatnam Port and Industrial Corridor), which was allotted over 15,000 acres of land and involved thousands of crores in investment. The Government, in return, issued at least 26 Orders and inked deals in SEZs, contracts in Jalayagnam (irrigation projects), Indiramma housing scheme and land allocations, as quid pro quo to these industrialists, it has been alleged.
In addition to the political battle, Jagan is now caught up in a multi-cornered challenge facing the investigative agencies.
Whether he will be able to wriggle out, and realise his dream of becoming CM, is a big question mark as of now.