1 Dies During Odarpu Yatra

An unfortunate accident, in which a youth was electrocuted while others received injuries, overshadowed the tumultuous welcome accorded to Jaganmohan Reddy on the first day of his Odarpu Yatra at Giddaluru in Prakasam district on Friday.

According to reports, the youth, identified as Yousuf, was among the thousands who had gathered on the streets and terraces of houses in the mandal to greet the son of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Yousuf was on a terrace of a house when a banner welcoming the Kadapa MP tore off and touched the electricity wires adjacent to the building. Yousuf was electrocuted and died on the spot, while several other youths were injured when they jumped off the terrace to save themselves.

Earlier Jagan had resumed his Odarpu Yatra after stopping at Porumamilla in Kadapa district - to unveil a statue of his late father - for some time, on his way from his family estate at Idupulapaya.

This is the 6th leg of the Odarpu Yatra, taken out by Jaganmohan Reddy to console the families of those who died of shock in the aftermath of the death of his father on 2 September 2009. Jaganmohan Reddy had earlier completed his yatra in West Godavari, Khammam, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts, and was forced to abandon it in the Warangal district of the state.

He told the gathering at Porumamilla that his father was alive in their hearts. The MP also said that his father had left for him a huge family, and that he was grateful for their love and affection.

Jagan reached Giddaluru later than scheduled, after being slowed down at many places due to the surging crowds.

The MP decided to go ahead with the yatra despite the Congress high command toughening its stance over it. Party In-Charge for AP Affairs M Veerappa Moily had met him and conveyed the high command's disapproval of the yatra.

Jagan is believed to have told Moily that the yatra was his duty towards his father, and refused to call it off.

The AICC had earlier announced Rs. 1 lakh as ex-gratia to those families for whom the Odarpu Yatra was planned in the first place. The high command had also told Jaganmohan Reddy to assemble the beneficiaries at one plane and console them, but this, too, was refused.

Courtesy: INN