Senior politician and former Rajya Sabha member Dr M.V. Mysoora Reddy on Friday alleged that YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is being targeted by vested interests unable to see his growth and take on him politically.

He says the probe by the CBI against Jagan Mohan Reddy is “vindictive, biased and politically motivated.”

“I know how the CBI functions. I know who is behind this investigation. I will reveal this at an appropriate time. Everyone knows young Jagan is growing and he is being targeted. It is not correct,” he remarked.

Dr Mysoora Reddy created a flutter in political circles, especially the Telugu Desam to which he belongs, by calling on Jagan Mohan Reddy at the latter’s Lotus Pond residence on Friday morning before the CBI interrogation and joined his
party. He was invited by Jagan for a breakfast meeting. He was promptly suspended from the Telugu Desam.

Later on speaking to this newspaper, Dr Reddy said he planned to take “political sanyas” but had to join Jagan on his request.

“He (Jagan) invited me for breakfast and sought my support. He said he needs my political experience for his party. I said why not? I knew him from childhood. He is of my son’s age. In fact one should appreciate his composure and he is meeting people without any let up,” he said.

When told his credibility might take a drubbing following his jumps from the Congress to TD to YSR Congress, he denied the same, saying he quit the Congress for different reasons.

“I wanted to take political sanyas. I told Mr Chandrababu Naidu he was at liberty to give RS ticket to anyone he liked. I also said I will be available for any help indicating my decision to keep away from party,” he explained.
Reacting to his suspension from TD, he said it was no surprise. “It’s their decision. I already indicated my desire to keep away from the party. It hardly matters now. I haven’t sent my resignation to TD yet.”
Dr Mysoora Reddy criticised those calling Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy “thief” and making other insinuations even before he was found guilty.

“How can anyone call him a thief even before he was found guilty by court? It is not correct. CBI investigation is still on. One has to wait till the charges are proved,” he said.

When told that the CBI had found prima facie evidence that Jagan amassed wealth through corrupt means with the support of his father Rajasekhar Reddy, Dr Mysoora Reddy said the investigation was still on.

“Whether it’s YSR or Jagan or anyone else, as long as they are not found guilty they are innocent. CBI is investigating the charges. Let the guilty be identified and punished,” he said.

To another question on whether he thinks Jagan is innocent, he said he would not like to go into the issue since the investigation is still on.

How would YSR Congress fare in the byelections to 18 Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat? “You will see it. He has a bright future.”

Dr Mysoora Reddy denied that his sons would follow him into YSR Congress Party soon.
When asked as to how he could join YSR Congress when he had strong differences with former chief minister Y.S.

Rajasekhar Reddy when he was alive, Dr Mysoora Reddy said he differed with YSR on political issues but had no personal animosity.

“You might have seen my condolence message. We shared good rapport but differed on certain issues,” he added.