Former Home Minister K Jana Reddy’s prophecy that he would be the first chief minister of a Telangana state is bound to open a can of worms in the coming days. While the TDP and TRS can’t dare to go beyond one name, that is of their respective leaders, we see close to a dozen leaders from Congress already throwing their hats into the ring.

Jana Reddy’s statement shows there is still space for aspirants, not just those rubbing shoulders with the AICC honchos. Let’s take a peek at some of these new daydreamers in Congress, quietly pinning hopes on state’s division to see themselves on the CM’s kurchi.

Telangana

JANA REDDY: An eternal rebel in YSR’s government despite being the home minister in the first term. Jana Reddy was believed to have become home minister, under pressure from Jaipal Reddy’s intense lobbying with the high command. He showed his ambitions a few times trying to mobilise the Telangana forces but was cleverly cut to size by the YSR-KVP duo. He now thinks a separate Telangana is his best chance to fulfil his dream.

DAMODAR REDDY: Once a loyalist of YSR and minister in his first term, he however lost the post in a toss-up between him and his brother Ramreddy Venkata Reddy. He kept a distance with YSR till his death. He was the first in the Congress to smell a life-time chance arising out of KCR’s Telangana agitation. For the first time in his political career, he is now active on a bigger scale in the JAC. He hopes to live by the uncertainties in Congress to become Telangana CM one day.

MADHU YASHKI GOWD: Even in the midst of old, wily politicians like K Keshava Rao, D Srinivas and Kaka Venkataswami, Madhu Yashki Gowd is one who sees his chances brighter than ever. People around him say he is blind in his faith because of his ‘strong’ connections with ‘Heir Apparent’ Rahul Gandhi. Little-known till his first-time election as an MP, he made enough noises for Telangana in the last 6-7 years even if it meant browbeating YSR on occasions. His rivals too know how he can pull a fast one. Once Telangana becomes a reality, he feels there would be no stopping him!

Andhra

BOTSA SATYANARAYANA: The greed for higher office can bring the monkey out of anyone and this industrialist-politician from Vijayanagaram recently showed that in ample measure. From being a close aide to YSR to becoming a potential political rival for Jagan, Botsa always showed the cards needed for the occasion. Soon after Rosaiah’s elevation, he stung everyone by revealing his CM ambitions to fuel rumours about a replacement for Rosaiah. One would have thought Botsa’s move was hasty then, but as time passes by we now realise how deep-rooted the idea is. Sources close to him say he sees himself as a strong Congress CM candidate for a separated Andhra, if not a replacement for Rosaiah. He woke up to this prospect much too early to keep his partymen guessing about his statements.

LAGADAPATI RAJAGOPAL: Mercurial and intemperate are the two words that epitomise this powerful-industrialist-turned-public figure. He was the first to offer his resignation at the height of Telangana agitation and actually triggered the torrent of resignations from others in other parties. Raising the bogey of samaikhyandhra, Rajagopal became a bigger worry for his own partymen than the Telangana forces. The Vijayawada MP and owner of the Lanco group sensed the opportunity to ape and transform himself into another YSR, after the great leader left a void. He says he is a staunch samaikhyavaadi and vows to give up politics if the state is divided. But his recent samaikhyandhra campaign from Vijayawada to Hyderabad and its famous climax at the NIMS clearly suggest he is here to stay to play a bigger role in a divided state.