The Congress high command is heading for a no-win situation as it contemplates a successor to the late Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. It does not want to anoint YSR?s son Jaganmohan, a novice, as CM. On the other hand, if it does not do so, there is a risk of rebellion in the party. It is an eyeball-to-eyeball situation in which the high command cannot afford to stand down.

Pro-Jaganmohan MLAs and ministers may be giving the impression of toning down their campaign to please the high command but they have only increased the pressure through backroom manoeuvres and emissaries to New Delhi. Both sides are biding their time hoping that by the time the election to choose a Congress legislative party leader is held, the issue would be resolved in their favour.

According to sources in the party, Sonia Gandhi may have given YSR?s son a thought had not a systematic campaign been launched to make him chief minister that not only jarred the high command but also probably strengthened its resolve not to anoint him. It was seen as an attempt to force the high command to appoint someone of the MLAs? choice and not someone preferred by the high command. While Rajya Sabha MP KVP Ramachandra Rao who is spearheading the campaign to make Jagan CM, is talking to everyone who matters in New Delhi, the high command is wearing him down by listening to his arguments but keeping him waiting in New Delhi.

KVP argues that YSR?s legacy can only be taken forward by his son who enjoys the support of at least 120 MLAs and more than a dozen ministers. He is hinting at chaos in the Congress party in the state if Jaganmohan is not made the CM because once the emotions wane, factions in the party would try to take control.

Aspirants like APCC president D Srinivas, who fell out with YSR before the elections over the selection of candidates, would fancy their chances of becoming CM. Srinivas made a bid for the post after the Congress came back to power in 2004 but was ignored by Sonia Gandhi. He lost from the Nizamabad Assembly constituency in 2009, thanks to factionalism and anti-incumbency. ?Rosaiah (the interim chief minister) does not enjoy the support of even a few MLAs and ministers. A few weeks from now, if Jagan is not made CM, leaders like D Srinivas will attempt to break the MLAs into a splinter group and make a claim for the post,?? says a Congress leader accompanying KVP in New Delhi.

After a 90-minute meeting with Sonia Gandhi on Thursday, when KVP tried to cajole Jaganmohan into accepting some other post, Jaganmohan is learnt to have told him to ask the high command to consider the wishes of Andhra people. He put his foot down saying nobody can stop his supporters and followers wishes to make him chief minister.

Ministers like Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and Danam Nagender say that only Jaganmohan can ensure that all the schemes floated by YSR are implemented in the right spirit, to keep the party and the support base among the masses intact. ?For this reason alone we want Jaganmohan,? says Reddy.

But many point out that this argument is spurious. The schemes were no doubt the brainchild of YSR but credit must also go to Rosaiah for arranging the money and drawing plans on how to implement when and where. Since he was so closely involved in those schemes he is the next best person after YSR to take them forward. Rosaiah has been taking care of even small details.

For instance, in Warangal district when a few ambulance drivers of the 108 Emergency Service complained that the ambulances needed immediate replacement of tyres or they may burst while on an emergency run, a day after taking over as interim CM, Rosaiah ordered that new tyres be purchased. He has also been goading the civil supplies department to crack down on hoarding and black marketeering so that the Rs 2 per kg rice scheme does not suffer.

The ball is in the high command?s court now and Hyderabad awaits its decision.