Jagan, Rathnakar meet sparks rumours

PUTTAPARTHI: YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy landed in Puttaparthi on Wednesday morning, raising speculation on the purpose of his visit. While party sources said he was in Prashanti Nilayam to pay homage at the maha samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba, questions were raised as Sai Central Trust member R J Rathnakar, who is feeling the heat in the cash seizure case, quickly ushered Jagan into Sai Kulwant Hall for a closed-door meeting.
The media was not allowed to follow Jagan inside the ashram. Rathnakar, who received summons in connection with the money trail case, was all smiles as he spent a few minutes chatting with Jagan. Though what transpired between the two was not known, sources said the timing of Jagan's visit has taken everybody by surprise. Jagan's father, the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was not a devotee of the Sai Baba.
Meanwhile, private security guards and cops who were part of Jagan's entourage entered the prayer hall with their footwear on, angering devotees. They were also irked by Jagan's entourage who loudly shouted "Jai Jagan, jai YSR Congress" slogans on the premises. The brazen show of fans' support close to the prayer hall were uncalled for, insiders in Prasanthi Nilayam said.
Jagan is currently in Anantapur district as part of his Odarpu yatra. Party sources said that since Jagan was in the district, he utilised the occasion to pay a visit to Prasanti Nilayam. "Nothing much should be read into the meeting of Jagan with Ratnakar. It was only a courtesy call," sources averred. After paying homage at the samadhi, Jagan left to continue with the Odarpu yatra in the district.