Vivekananda Reddy meets Jagan

Andhra Pradesh minister Vivekananda Reddy on Thursday met his nephew Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in the backdrop of political differences between them, and said they were part of one family despite the conflict in loyalties.

The minister met Jagan, who arrived in Hyderabad from Kadapa district on Thursday morning, at the latter's residence.

After the meeting, Vivekananda Reddy told reporters, "Take the example of late Madhav Rao Scindia, who was in the Congress. His mother was in another party. Similarly, we may have political differences, but we are part of one family."

Jagan had alleged that the party high command tried to split up his family by offering a cabinet berth to his uncle.

Reddy declared his loyalty to the Congress high command, much against the wishes of Jagan, and joined the Kiran Kumar Reddy Cabinet on Wednesday. He was given the crucial Agriculture portfolio.

On Tuesday, at the behest of some family members, Jagan and Reddy had held two meetings in their native district but failed to strike a chord. Meanwhile, some supporters of Jagan stopped the car of Vivekananda Reddy and raised slogans against him when he was leaving his nephew's residence.

They demanded that he quit as minister. Reacting angrily to their actions, Reddy sternly told them not to resort to such things.