Hans News Service Vijayawada

AndhraPradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y S Sharmila on Wednesday strongly countered YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy through a post on Twitter, questioning his commitment to the ideals of their father, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Marking April 9, Sharmila recalled that it was on this day 23 years ago that Dr YSR began his historic padayatra in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, aimed at the welfare of the poor and marginalised sections. She noted that he undertook the march as a Congress leader and later led the party to power, earning a permanent place in the hearts of the people.

Taking a sharp dig, she questioned Jagan Mohan Reddy’s current political stance, asking how he, as YSR’s son and a leader carrying his father’s name in the party, is upholding those values. She accused him of compromising with “fascist forces” and aligning with capitalist tendencies, which she said stood in stark contrast to YSR’s pro-poor governance.

Sharmila further said that YSR was a staunch secular leader who worked for unity among all communities, while alleging that Jagan was now bowing to the BJP out of political compulsion and fear of criminal cases. She criticised what she described as silence on issues affecting Dalits, minorities, and other weaker sections, including matters related to Waqf laws, Dalit Christian reservations, FCRA regulations, and “bulldozer politics.”

She also raised concerns over alleged incidents of atrocities on Dalits, women, and minorities during Jagan’s tenure, stating that such developments would have deeply disturbed YSR.

Calling Jagan’s tributes to YSR “ironic,” Sharmila remarked that instead of undertaking a Padayatra, he should embark on a journey of introspection (“Atma Vimarsana Yatra”) to reflect on his governance and political choices.