By Chinmayee Dash: Under fire from various quarters over the issue of corruption and black money, the Congress Party played a master stroke by taking effective steps to marginalise its rivals elsewhere in the country.

 

The arrest of former Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and his cousin Srinivasa Reddy in the illegal mining case is just a beginning and the Congress will definitely intensify its assault on the BJP and YSR Congress.

 

Even though the recent Star News-Nielsen poll has predicted that Congress has lost the popularity following Anna Hazare's 13-day-long anti-graft movement at Ramlila Maidan and BJP gained a lot backing the protest, the fresh development in Andhra politics would be a big weapon for the Congress to win the polls and regain people's credibility.

 

The News poll predicts that the BJP would gain more in the upcoming Lok Sabha as well as Assembly polls. As the popularity of the Congress has dropped from 30% in May 2011 to 20% in August 2011, BJP has risen significantly at 32%, while it was only 23% in May.

 

Srinivasa Reddy, who is the Managing Director of Obulapuram Mining Corporation (OMC), is linked to late Andhra CM YSR as well as Jagan Mohan Reddy. It is believed that the Reddy Brothers from Bellary flourished during YSR's rule.

 

The illegal mining scam may not be bigger than 2G scam, but it is no less than all the massive scams for which big politicians like A Raja, Kanimozhi and Suresh Kalmadi were lodged in Tihar jail.

 

The BJP claimed that the arrest of the Reddys was part of the Congress's political vendetta. Meanwhile, the CBI has filed a report before the court alleging few companies have invested a huge amount in Jagan's business. Even YSR has been indicted in the report, which put the Congress in dilemma.

 

YSR was a senior Congress leader, but Jagan's move has disappointed the party after he left Congress and formed another party in the name of his father. The Kadapa MP revolted and the Congress wants to teach him a lesson though Reddys. Jagan himself is facing a tough period after the CBI raided his houses and offices in August.

 

The CBI court on Wednesday would decide whether the Reddys would be sent to CBI custody or not. They have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

 

The latest development gave the Congress a great opportunity to defend itself and put the ball in BJP's court. At the same time, it may silence Jagan Mohan Reddy by creating fear and uncertainty in his mind.

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