YS Sharmila Reddy Launches Scathing Attack on Brother Jagan, Labels Him 'Mavigan Joker'
In a fiery address on Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila Reddy launched a blistering critique against her brother and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, branding him a "Mavigan joker." She accused him of blatantly betraying the core ideals of their late father, the revered YS Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), while simultaneously exploiting his political legacy for personal and party gain.
Commemorating YSR's Historic Padayatra
Marking the 23rd anniversary of the iconic Prajaprasthanam Padayatra, which YSR commenced on April 9, 2003, from Chevella to Ichapuram, Sharmila emphasized its enduring significance. She described the 1,457-kilometer march as a "turning point" in Andhra Pradesh's political landscape, deeply etched in the hearts of the Telugu people. According to her, this monumental effort not only propelled the Congress to power in the state but also established a robust foundation for welfare-driven governance that prioritized the common citizen.
Questioning Unfinished Projects and Alleged Irregularities
Directly targeting Jagan Mohan Reddy's tenure, Sharmila posed pointed questions about the incomplete status of key flagship initiatives like Jalayagnam, despite his ascension to the chief minister's office. "If YSR's ideology truly exists within the YSRCP, why were his dream projects left unfinished?" she demanded. She escalated her allegations by citing large-scale irregularities, claiming that "Rushikonda was swallowed in the name of three capitals and palaces were built for themselves," intensifying her criticism of the previous YSRCP regime's governance and financial management.
Broader Criticisms on Social Issues and Governance
Expanding her critique beyond specific projects, Sharmila raised serious concerns about Jagan's silence on attacks against Dalits and Christians, accusing him of aligning with political forces that YSR had consistently opposed throughout his career. She further lambasted the government for allegedly weakening welfare schemes, failing to deliver on promises such as total prohibition, and fostering a "cash-only mafia" in liquor sales, which she argued undermined public trust and social welfare.
Her remarks underscore deepening political rifts within Andhra Pradesh, as she positions the Congress as the true inheritor of YSR's legacy, contrasting it with what she portrays as the YSRCP's deviation from those principles. This public denunciation highlights ongoing tensions in the state's political arena, with Sharmila leveraging familial and ideological narratives to challenge her brother's political standing and policy record.
