Jagan released from jail....gets warm homecoming

YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday stepped out of Chanchalguda jail 16 months after his arrest in connection with the case pertaining to quid pro quo deals to lusty cheers and rose petal showers by his jubilant supporters.

Thousands of supporters, chanting slogans hailing their leader, gathered outside the Chanchalguda jail since morning for his release which is widely expected to lend added political punch to the popular movement against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The milling crowd broke into an impromptu dance as Jagan Mohan came out flashing a broad smile and greeted his supporters and partymen, including legislators, with folded hands.
As the convoy inched its way out of the jail premises enroute to his residence at Lotus Pond, security personnel swarming around his vehicle had a tough time keeping the jubilant supporters at a safe distance from the YSR Congress leader, who happily shook hands with several of them.
A couple of securitymen carrying automatic weapons sat atop Jagan Mohan’s SUV while others cleared the way of ecstatic supporters.
Jagan Mohan’s release, at a time when protests are raging across the state over its proposed bifurcation for over 50 days, comes as a huge relief for the party, which is the only political entity unequivocally favouring a unified Andhra Pradesh.
Even in his bail plea, Jagan Mohan had sought his release citing the ongoing protests in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, saying that there was a need for him to be with the people and lead the stir as leader of a political party.
Jagan Mohan’s freedom could galvanise his party, particularly in the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, witnessing most protests over the proposed creation of Telangana. Despite the movement having popular support, the protests have so far been devoid of a mass leader and Jagan Mohan supporters believe he could fill the slot.
One of the conditions laid down by the court while granting him bail that he cannot leave Hyderabad without its permission could, however, prove to be an irritant in his free movement.