After the humiliating performance in the recent Legislative Council elections, the Congress leadership seems to be preparing to crack the whip against the dissident MLAs owing allegiance to YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The party high command is veering round to the view that if the rebels are let off the hook now, the dissident activity will gain momentum in the days ahead, threatening the very existence of the government. Unless the activities of the Jagan camp legislators are nipped in the bud, they will grow in strength and might ultimately dislodge the government.

The defeat of the Congress’ MLC candidates in Kadapa and Chittoor was directly attributed to the open rebellion by the Jagan followers. To begin with, the ground is being prepared for action against five pro-Jagan MLAs from his home district of Kadapa. The legislators who are likely to face the axe are Srikanth Reddy, Adinarayana Reddy, Kamalamma, Amarnath Reddy and Srinivasulu, sources said.

The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is keen on disciplinary action against the dissidents before the by-elections for Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly seats, so that a right message goes to the party cadre.