Hyderabad, July 06: Son of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Kadapa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy today made it clear that he will resume his Odarpu tour from Itchhapuram in Srikakulam district on July 8, which happens to be his father’s birth anniversary.
In an “Open letter to the people” on Monday, Jagan claimed that his yatra was apolitical and was intended to console the families of those who had died of shock following the untimely demise of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
The purpose of the tour was explained to Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on June 29, but the latter appeared not favourable to the yatra. Instead, the party president had suggested to him, his mother and sister that the bereaved families be invited at one place and financial assistance be extended to them.
For her part, his mother had explained to the party chief that it was not the custom to call families in mourning but rather to call on them.
‘’We told her of the rationale behind the Odarpu Yatra and she listened with patience,’’ he added. The Kadapa MP said he still did not understand why the yatra was being politicised and made controversial.
He hoped that the victims’ families would understand the reasons for the delay in the yatra.
‘’I am writing this letter for clarity on Odarpu yatra. The yatra will be resumed on the day of my father’s birthday (July 8). Being a son of the late leader who had never gone back on his promise, it is my duty to stick to my word by resuming the yatra from the historical place where my father had concluded his Mahaprasthanam padayatra, that is, Itchhapuram,” he added.
–Agencies