The other day, YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy categorically told the media in New Delhi that his party had neither got an offer from the Bharatiya Janata Party nor had he asked the Lok Sabha deputy speaker post for his party.
He asked the media not to make any speculations on this issue and there was no need for any further discussions on the same.
However, reliable sources said the BJP had indeed asked the YSRC president whether he was interested in taking the Lok Sabha deputy speaker post for his party and if yes, he could suggest a suitable MP for the same.
Since the YSRC is the third largest opposition party in the present Lok Sabha after Congress and DMK, the YSRC was offered the post.
Sources said Jagan politely turned down the offer saying his party would not like to accept any post in the Centre at this stage and all his focus was on developing the state.
Though he did not tell the BJP leadership any reason for his refusal to accept the post, Jagan apparently felt if he accepts the offer, it would send wrong signals to the people.
“He has his own political compulsions. The moment Jagan accepts the post, it would give the impression that YSRC is a political ally of the BJP. It might affect the party chances in the forthcoming local body elections,” sources said.
Secondly, it would also lead to the talk that Jagan had compromised on the special category status for political positions in the Centre. It would also mean establishing friendly ties with the BJP, a prospect that may not go down well with the minorities who form the key support base of his party, sources said.
Thirdly, there is already a talk in the political circles that Jagan had struck a deal with the BJP leadership in return for a relief in the ongoing CBI case against him pertaining to the alleged disproportionate assets.