Jagan, Sharmila Recall YSR Legacy

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and State Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila on Wednesday paid tributes to their father and former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) on his 17th death anniversary.

Accompanied by his mother Y.S. Vijayamma, wife Y.S. Bharathi and other family members, Jagan Mohan Reddy laid a wreath on the late leader's grave at YSR Ghat at Idupulapaya in YSR Kadapa district.

The family also participated in special prayers conducted by religious leaders.

Senior YSRCP leaders, former and present public representatives, party cadre, and admirers also laid floral wreaths and remembered the late leader with deep respect, acknowledging his enduring legacy as a welfare provider and architect of development.

“Miss you always, Dad! You’ll forever be my inspiration,” Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote on 'X'.

YSR's daughter and state Congress president Sharmila also paid tributes to the late leader at his grave. Vijayamma was also present on the occasion.

Paying her tributes, Sharmila said that YSR was a legendary leader who holds an indelible place in the hearts of millions.

She posted on social media that the welfare schemes introduced by YSR left an enduring mark -- a chapter written in golden letters in the nation's history. 'Aarogyasri' was a magnificent scheme that provided free corporate-level medical care to the poor, while the 'Fee Reimbursement' scheme ensured free education and academic security for millions of underprivileged students, she said.

"YSR was a modern-day 'Bhagiratha' who transformed the agricultural sector through free electricity for farmers and revolutionized irrigation through the 'Jalayagnam' project. Initiatives such as the 108 and 104 ambulance services and the waiver of agricultural loans for farmers remain unforgettable to this day," she said.

Sharmila recalled that upon hearing the news of YSR's passing, as many as 700 people lost their lives out of sheer grief. “On this anniversary, as YSR's daughter, I pay tribute to them as well. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who paid their respects today while remembering him,” she said.

YSR was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009. The Congress leader died in a helicopter crash on September 2, 2009, a few months after he led the Congress party to its second consecutive electoral victory.

Jagan, who was then a Congress MP, later parted ways with the grand old party and floated the YSR Congress Party.

Sharmila and Jagan Mohan Reddy have been separately attending YSR's birth and death anniversary events at YSR Ghat ever since differences cropped up between them after he became Chief Minister in 2019.

YSR Congress suffered a crushing defeat in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Sharmila, who is trying to claim YSR's legacy, became president of the state Congress in early 2024 after merging the YSR Telangana Party with the Congress.