Rich tributes paid to YSR at Idupulapaya

The birth anniversary of former chief minister late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was celebrated across the district by leaders and workers of the YSRC and the Congress on Monday.

Rajasekhara Reddy’s son and YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy paid tributes to his father in Idupulapaya.

After holding Praja Darbar in Pulivendula on Sunday, Jagan Mohan Reddy travelled to Idupulapaya. There, accompanied by his mother Vijayalakshmi, wife Bharathi and other family members, he paid respects at the YSR memorial and participated in the special prayers.

This was the first time that Jagan Mohan Reddy and his mother met since the YSRC lost power, leading to an emotional embrace between the two. MPs, MLAs, MLCs and party leaders joined Jagan Mohan Reddy in paying tributes to YSR.

Across the district, various charitable activities such as food and cloth donations, fruit distribution in hospitals and blood donation camps were organised to mark the day.

PCC president Sharmila paid her respects at the YSR's memorial for about half an hour after her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy’s departure. She was accompanied by her husband Anil, son Raja Reddy, daughter-in-law Priya and daughter Anjali.

Araku MP, Gumma Thanuja Rani, highlighted YSR's lasting impact on the poor and tribal communities, emphasising his support for tribal land rights and his enduring presence in their homes.

Y.V. Subbareddy, a Rajya Sabha member, paid homage to Rajasekhar Reddy, asserting that his legacy of welfare schemes would remain etched in the hearts of the people. Expressing dismay over reported attacks on YSRC activists and damage to their properties, Subbareddy condemned the vandalisation of the YSR statues and termed such actions as undemocratic.

Subbareddy, along with former minister Gudivada Amarnath, Rajya Sabha members Golla Baburao, Vizag city mayor Hari Venkata Kumari, YSRC district president Kola Guruvulu and others honoured the late leader by laying floral wreaths at his statue on Vizag's Beach Road.

Subbareddy underscored Rajasekhar Reddy's pivotal role in pioneering welfare and development programmes, setting a benchmark for chief ministers across the country.

He said Rajasekhar Reddy's legacy would endure in the hearts of the people, and highlighted former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s dedication to continuing his father's initiatives for the welfare of the underprivileged. The programme saw participation of Ravindra Babu and Varudu Kalyani, MLCs, former state minister Kuralleti Balaraju, former MLAs and party members.