Ongole, September 03: Notwithstanding reservations of the party high command, Congress MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy today resumed his controversial yatra in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district.
With close relative and Mines Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy standing by his side, Jagan began his yatra at Giddalur by unveiling a statue of his late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
“Can anyone say that our beloved leader Rajasekhara Reddy is no more? He lives in the hearts of the people. The hearts of the people beat for him,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Jagan left from his family estate at Idupulapaya in native Kadapa district for Giddalur, a day after the first death anniversary of his father. Jagan recommenced the yatra despite a warning from Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee not to go ahead with it.
Subsequently, the high command had decided to offer Rs one lakh financial assistance to the families of those who died of shock following the demise of Rajasekhara Reddy.
Imitating the famous style of his father, he pointed out at a ‘108’ medical emergency vehicle going on the way and said the late chief minister has made medical facilities available to common people.
Referring to the popular ‘Arogya Sri’ health scheme initiated by his father, Jagan said poor people have got access to expensive medical treatment because of Rajasekhara Reddy.
Union Law Minister and in-charge of Congress affairs in Andhra Pradesh Veerappa Moily visited the family estate yesterday to pay homage to YSR at the ‘YSR Ghat’, the burial site. Jagan would console 41 families in Prakasam during the yatra that may last for 15 days.
Jagan has held his yatra in West Godavari, Khammam, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts so far.
–Agencies