On the eve of first death anniversary of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, defiant Congress MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday appeared all set to go ahead with his controversial yatra by saying it has brought him people’s “love”. “You know whatever is happening. I need not tell you. I can say one thing. I am able to stand here with a smile only because of your love and affection,” he told a group of people in his native Kadapa district.
Although Jagan on Wednesday did not pointedly say if he would resume the yatra which Congress had asked him to call off, his close aide and suspended Congress leader Ambati Rambabu said “Jagan is going ahead with the yatra from September 3”.
Andhra Pradesh mines minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, a close relative of Jagan, also said the “Odarpu yatra” would begin in Prakasam district on September 3 as scheduled. The yatra would continue for 15 days in Prakasam district, he said. Jagan reached his native Kadapa town on Wednes-day where he inaugurated a statue of Rajasekhara Reddy. “There is no reconsideration of the yatra. It will continue as scheduled,” Mr Rambabu said. Mr Rambabu was asked whether Jagan will change his mind in view of PM Manmohan Singh’s rem-arks hailing Rajasekhara Reddy as a “great leader from AP” and Congress deciding to provide compensation to the families of all those who committed suicide or died of shock after hearing the death of YSR in a helicopter crash. “These (Congress move) will not affect the yatra. Odarpu yatra will continue,” Mr Rambabu said.