His father's son: Jaganmohan in YSR's shadow

Hyderabad: Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, 37, who is being pushed to succeed his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as Andhra Pradesh chief minister, is a media baron who runs popular the Telugu daily Sakshi and a television channel by the same name.

The state cabinet presided over by K Rosaiah, who was installed as caretaker chief minister Thursday, passed a resolution urging the Congress party's central leadership to let Jaganmohan take over the mantle of the state, though the high command is yet to decide on YSR's successor.

The decision also has a backing of some 100-odd legislators, who have even launched a campaign to put Jaganmohan in the saddle.

There is also an SMS doing the rounds, saying: "When Indira Gandhi expired Rajiv Gandhi was made the prime minister. Why not Jagan be made chief minister now?" The SMS is being circulated by Jaganmohan's supporters.

Jaganmohan Reddy, a first time MP from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, received his early education from Pulivendula--also the place of his birth-- and went on to get a Master's degree in business administration. While in college, he took active part in sports, excelled in cricket and won several shields at various inter-collegiate tournaments.

His supporters argue that by projecting Jaganmohan Reddy as a young entrepreneur and a philanthropist, they could counter the charisma of those cine stars who have either started new political outfits or have been actively campaigning for regional parties. Jaganmohan is married and has a school-going daughter.

Making Jaganmohan the chief minister would be a real tribute to the deceased leader, state Health Minister D Nagender said.

Born on December 21, 1972, Jaganmohan joined the Congress in his young years and was inspired by the late Rajiv Gandhi. He also has a website ysjaganreddy.com, that claims he is an industrialist who sets up factories in remote villages to create employment opportunities for the poor.

There is a groundswell of support for Jaganmohan. While many legislators met Union Minister for law and in-charge of party affairs in the state M. Veerappa Moily and submitted a memorandum to make him the chief minister, some even went to Praja Rajyam Party president K. Chiranjeevi to request him to support Jaganmohan Reddy's candidature.

A group of MPs held a meeting here and decided to place their demand before Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Some party workers sitting outside Gandhi Bhavan, the party headquarters in the city, said they would not accept anybody other than YSR's son to head the state government.

YSR was killed in a chopper crash while travelling to Chittoor from Hyderabad in inclement weather Wednesday. The mangled remains of the helicopter and the bodies of the chief minister and four others accompanying him were located on Thursday morning in the Nallamala jungles.