Staunch YSR family loyalist and former minister Konda Surekha on Tuesday criticised the
decision to hold the monsoon session of the state assembly on July 8, the birthday of former chief minister the late YSR.
Claiming that she was deeply hurt by the decision to start the Assembly session from July 7, the former minister told media persons that the monsoon session could well have taken place after the late leader's birthday.
She brushed aside the claims made by some Congress leaders that they could pay homage to the late leader on his birthday in a better manner on the premises of the Assembly on July 7. The MLC reminded that a session of the assembly was held 3 months after YSR's death and said that the tributes paid at that session were insufficient when compared to the stature of the departed leader.
Referring to the Odarpu Yatra taken by the late leader's son Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Surekha said that it was not designed to defame or malign the Congress party, but is a tribute to those well-wishers of the former chief minister who could not bear the shock of YSR's death.
She said that AICC president Sonia Gandhi had suggested that Jagan call all the family members of the well-wishers who died of shock after YSR passed away. Surekha said that it was a Hindu custom that people pay a visit to the residence and console the departed soul's kin.
She claimed there was nothing wrong with the Odarpu Yatra since Jagan is not speaking a word against the Congress party.
The former minister reminded that the Kadapa MP had vowed to console the families of those persons who died of a broken heart on his first visit to the spot where the ill-fated helicopter carrying YSR crashed.
The MLC said that if Jagan does not go ahead and complete the Odarpu Yatra, a wrong impression would be created in the minds of people about the Kadapa MP, and that people would assume that he is not a man of his word.
She also said that she was hopeful that the high command will not take a negative view of the Odarpu Yatra.
Courtesy: INN News