Cong makes strong pitch to deny Jagan the YSR legacy

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy declared his commitment to campaign for Congress candidate YS Sharmila in the event of a by-election for the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.
At a Congress event held on Monday in Mangalagiri to celebrate the 75th birth anniversary of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, Revanth Reddy stated he would take responsibility for YS Sharmila’s victory, pledging his full support in her campaign.
This announcement comes amid speculation that former chief minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy might resign from his MLA position, potentially prompting Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy to step down as well.
The speculation suggests that Jagan Mohan Reddy plans to contest the by-election in Kadapa to secure a parliamentary seat and avoid entering the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.
Revanth Reddy criticised the current political landscape in Andhra Pradesh, noting the lack of a strong opposition. He observed that leaders such as Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Jagan Mohan Reddy have been supportive of the BJP. Revanth Reddy expressed confidence that YS Sharmila could emerge as a significant opposition leader in the State, drawing inspiration from her late father, who served as an effective opposition leader before becoming Chief Minister.
“I am confident that Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Minister of India and YS Sharmila will become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh by 2029,” Revanth Reddy predicted, praising Sharmila’s leadership qualities. He compared her potential to the leadership demonstrated by Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who undertook a significant padayatra that contributed to his election as Chief Minister.
Revanth Reddy emphasised that those who honour YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s legacy are true heirs to his vision, citing Rajasekhar Reddy’s wish for Rahul Gandhi to become Prime Minister. He highlighted recent electoral successes in Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh as proof of the Congress party’s resurgence.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka praised YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s contributions to education, with the introduction of the fee reimbursement scheme, and his support for farmers through free power supply and other initiatives. Vikramarka expressed his gratitude for working alongside YSR, acknowledging the positive impact of his policies.
The event also featured remarks from Telangana Ministers D. Sridhar, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, and former MPs KVP Ramachandra Rao, Undavalli Arun Kumar, Kanumuri Bapiraju, and Tulasi Reddy.