Chandrababu is Repeating Jagan's Mistake: Sharmila
Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Y. S. Sharmila has strongly criticized the state government's recent decisions regarding district and municipal names. The coalition government recently renamed YSR District as YSR Kadapa District and removed the name of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy from the Tadigadapa Municipality in Krishna district.
Sharmila condemned these moves, comparing them to previous actions by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). "Chandrababu Naidu's approach is like venting anger on an unrelated target," she remarked. She alleged that just as the previous government had hurt public sentiments by renaming institutions associated with N. T. Rama Rao (NTR), the current government was now erasing YSR’s name out of political vendetta.
She further accused the Chandrababu-led administration of wounding the hearts of millions of Telugu people. "While there may not be an objection to renaming YSR District as YSR Kadapa District, we strongly oppose the removal of YSR’s name from Tadigadapa Municipality. Why is there such animosity toward YSR?" she questioned.
Sharmila also pointed out an inconsistency in the government’s naming conventions. "When Kadapa was renamed, why wasn't NTR District renamed as NTR Vijayawada or Krishna District as NTR Krishna?" she asked.
Highlighting YSR’s legacy, Sharmila described him as a visionary leader who introduced pioneering welfare schemes like Aarogyasri, fee reimbursement, Jalayagnam, free electricity, Indiramma housing, and pensions. "Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was the Congress Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh and a pioneer of welfare schemes in India. He remains in the hearts of the people."
She emphasized that YSR's name belongs to the people of Andhra Pradesh and should not be used for political battles. "Telugu people revere YSR, placing his photo alongside their household deities. Dragging his name into politics is inappropriate. His legacy is not the property of any single party—it is the collective pride of Telugu people," she asserted.
