Hyderabad, November 21: The first political rally of Kadapa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy (particularly after death of his father former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy on September 2) in the State capital on Friday received good response from both the party cadre as well the public during his campaign for the GHMC elections.
Party cadre cheered whenever Jagan referred to his late father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his programmes. Jagan took several potshots at Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu as well. When Jagan said that he would become the Chief Minister in the future with the blessings of people and God, the party cadre were besides themselves with joy. People stood on their balconies and rooftops to watch Jagan’s rally. Many observed seen talking that Jagan was trying to imitate the late YSR’s mannerisms like waving his left hand as well as speech. His frequent use of words like credibility, akkaiah, annaiah during the speech reminded many of YSR. Jagan’s convoy had a large fleet of vehicles which included both four and two-wheelers.
Jagan recalled his father’s services for for the State during last five-and-a-half years. But he avoided mentioning Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Pradesh Congress Committee chief D Srinivas altogether in his address.
The Kadapa MP, however, repeatedly mentioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi and MP Rahul Gandhi’s name during his speech. Like his father, he also launched his campaign from the Maheshwaram Assembly constituency represented by ‘Chevella chellamma’ Home Minister P Sabita Reddy. He referred to her as ‘Athamma’.
Several Ministers, local MPs and MLAs particularly Health Minister and Greater Hyderabad City Committee president D Nagender, Home Minister P Sabita Reddy, Youth Services Minister K Venkat Reddy, Municipal
Administration Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, MPs Sarve Satyanarayana, KVP Ramachandra Rao and others threw their weight behind Jagan’s road show on Friday. A specially decorated campaign vehicle was arranged for Jagan to address public meetings by standing atop it. Prior to launching his campaign at Maheshwaram at about 12.30 pm, Jagan accompanied by Nagender and others offered floral tributes at statues of late Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, BR Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram. He offered special prayers at Bangaru Mysamma temple and the dargah near Nampally.
He hoisted the party flag at the historical Charminar where former prime minister, late Rajiv Gandhi had launched the Rajiv Sadbhavana Yatra.
—Agencies