Jagan or Naidu? Who can melt Congress' heart?

The buzz in the political circles is that Chandrababu chose the nation's capital city as his fasting venue as election code is applicable there with the elections due next month. Besides, police will not allow him to fast for too long. Though Telangana is a state issue, it will turn into a national issue when BJP leaders visit his fasting camp.

Naidu knows that if he fasts in Delhi, he will get the attention of the national media. That way it will be easier to draw people's attention to the Telangana issue. Soon after he went on fast, the TDP chief told the media: "I have come here for Dharma. I have come here for justice." However, Naidu failed to state his stand on the contentious issue when media persons asked him to do so.

If Naidu had chosen Hyderabad for fasting, he would have faced the wrath of both Samaikyandhra and Telangana protesters as the TDP leader had endorsed Telangana at one point. However, Naidu has maintained a neutral stand since Centre's declaration on the issue. Another advantage for Naidu is that some BJP leaders (Rajnath Singh, Prakash Karat) are likely to meet him in Delhi. Chandrababu can surely get some attention there.

Meanwhile, YSR Congress party president, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's fast entered third day on Monday. Jagan's party men say that he will continue his fast at least four more days. Interestingly, soon as Jagan announced his decision to go on fast, Chandrababu too did the same to strengthen his party's fortunes in the Seemandhra region which had weakened after his neutral stand over the issue. Considering his age and security reasons in Delhi, Chandrababu may not be able to go on with his fast for more than four days. That doesn't mean he will not get any media attention.

Now, the big question is among the two warring leaders, who will get a better mileage for fasting. And whose fast can mount pressure on the Central government which is bent upon going ahead with its decision. Reacting to the news of the fast, party affairs in-charge in Andhra Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh mocked at Naidu as well as Jagan wondering how both had given letters in support of Telangana.

He appealed to both the leaders to call off their strike saying they will not gain anything out of it. Political experts are of the opinion that Chandrababu is fasting in Delhi with two agendas - One to draw the attention of Narendra Modi by hitting out at Congress. Two, to attack Jagan at a national level as Naidu has decided to play a key role in National politics.