Why is Jagan using YSR's name after leaving Cong, asks CM

Stating that the Congress is the only party which can implement the welfare schemes launched by former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday appealed to the voters of Kadapa to cast their ballots in favour of party candidate DL Ravindra Reddy.

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy, campaigning on behalf of his party candidates DL Ravindra Reddy and YS Vivekananda Reddy for the Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies respectively, said that the ruling party is committed and is implementing the schemes launched by the former chief minister.

“When the Congress is implementing the schemes in letter and spirit, what right has Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to use YSR’s photo for campaigning? He is using the photos of YSR and his schemes, even though he has no right. Only the Congress can use the former chief minister’s photos,” Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said.

Addressing the gathering at an election rally at Produtoor, the Chief Minister added that former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was groomed by the Congress party. “YSR rose to such a high position due to his obedience and loyalty to the party. The Congress High Command gave the chief minister’s post to Dr Rajasekhara Reddy only after he was elected by the Legislators,” the Chief Minister stated.

“Despite the Congress High Command offering Mr Jaganmohan Reddy the post of a Union Minister after the sudden demise of his father, the Kadapa leader chose to walk out of the party and establish his own political outfit. This was defiance of the High Command,” Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said.

He added that, “Mr Jaganmohan Reddy had left the Congress party only with an intention to become the Chief Minister of the state, and since he had quit the Congress, he has no moral right to use the photos of the ‘Congress loyalist YSR’, in the by-election campaign.

Jagan has no moral right to use YSR photo and the logos of schemes launched by YSR, the chief minister pointed out.  

He appealed to the voters of Kadapa to give a fitting reply to Jaganmohan Reddy’s claims by rejecting him in the elections.

Earlier, former minister Shabbir Ali said that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy should know he was elected to Kadapa Lok Sabha only due to the support of the Congress. He said that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy cannot ignore the Congress if he plans to grow politically and not criticize it. Minor Irrigation Minister TG Venkatesh said that former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy implemented the government welfare schemes and programmes with the support of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Mr Venkatesh said Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is committed to implement the schemes and programmes launched by Dr YSR in letter and spirit. He added that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was also extending her total support to him.