The YSR Congress on Thursday termed the searches by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the residences and company premises of its chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy as "Political Vendetta".

Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was on Odarpu Yatra in Krishna district, spoke with some senior leaders and directed them to concentrate on gaining sympathy out of the CBI searches. Reacting sharply to the searches, the fledgling party leaders warned that the Congress would pay a heavy price for the 'witch-hunt'. "People are watching all this with heavy heart. They will teach a fitting lesson to the Congress in the coming days," said MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy. Former minister in YSR cabinet, Balineni Srinvasa Reddy dared the Congress to demand interrogation of all ministers who served in the YSR cabinet.

The YSR Congress alleged that in Jagan's case, the CBI authorities were acting with unusual swiftness. Preliminary investigation was completed in two weeks and within a week of getting the High Court orders for a full-fledged inquiry, CBI jumped into fray and began searches on the properties of Jagan and his business associates, they pointed out. Meanwhile, YSR Congress activists held protest demonstrations at several places and burnt the effigies of Congress and CBI. They gathered in large numbers at Jagan's residence at Jubilee Hills.