Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on Thursday said that he was not lonely as his father, former chief minister late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had given him a huge family.
Jagan was addressing the surging crowds who had gathered to welcome him in Ichchapuram on his arrival here for the Odarpu Yatra.
The Kadapa MP reached the town by Falaknuma Express early on Thursday morning, the birthday of his late father. He then proceeded to unveil a statue of YSR at the bus stand.
The unprecedented turnout of people led to some unsavoury moments as the onlookers surged to catch a glimpse of the Kadapa MP. In the jostling, Municipal chairperson Swarnamani fell down on the ground and was injured.
A shed also collapsed due to the jostling by the surging crowds, leading to minor injuries caused by the falling asbestos sheets.
Jagan then proceeded to 'Vijay Vatika', the spot where his father had culminated his famous 'padayatra' in 2003. It was the 2003 padayatra which had infused new found enthusiasm amongst the Congress cadre and brought the party back to power in the 2004 elections.
The young MP paid floral tributes to his father at the 'Vijaya Vatika', and then addressed the gathering there.
He told the crowds that they were his family, and said that his father had left him among them. Jagan said that the love and affection the people had for his father will keep him alive forever. He further said that his father was alive in the hearts of people and that was the reason behind their affection for him. He said that he was treated like a son or a brother wherever he went because of his father.
Jagan went on to Loddaputti village, where he unveiled a statue at the main junction.
After the unveiling, the Kadapa MP went to the residence of Pyla Chandramma, who had died on hearing the news of YSR's death.
He enquired about the problems faced by Chandramma's family, and promised to help them. He said that he had come to console them, and that that was the main purpose of the Odarpu Yatra.
Jagan had defied not only the state government but also the party high command over the Odarpu Yatra, claiming that this was his duty towards his late father as a son.