Daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and sister of incumbent CM Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Y S Sharmila, who has been keeping rather busy
making preparations for the launch of her new party in Telangana, today met with the followers of the former CM.
She interacted with YSR's supporters in Hyderabad and in the neighbouring Rangareddy district, and enquired about the
TRS' fulfilment of its election-time promises.
Taking everybody by surprise, the leader began her speeches with the 'Jai Telangana' slogan.
She then made enquiries about the work done by the Telangana government for the people of the state, and handed over a feedback form comprising 11 questions to those present at the meetings, and urged them to fill the forms honestly.
She asked them to include their suggestions on how Rajanna Rajyam, the "golden era" of her father's rule, could be brought back in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, she said that her father had loved all sections of society, "irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region", and reiterated her promise that she would work to
bring back Rajanna Rajyam in Telangana.
Saying that YSR had harboured the dream of educating every student in undivided Andhra Pradesh, besides providing housing to the poor of the state, Sharmila claimed that she too would work towards fulfilling similar goals.
"Telangana has kept my father in their hearts because of his welfare programs and his love for the people of the region. Today, nobody is happy under the rule of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. The Dalit community, particularly, has been subjected to much oppression and marginalisation. The CM has forgotten all about the promises he had made to the community - including his promise of erecting a 125-feet-tall statue of B R Ambedkar. He has not even taken any steps to bring in fee reimbursement schemes and other welfare measures in the state. Reservations for Muslims are also not adequate. Further, several ailments have been excluded from the state-run Arogyasri scheme. The condition of the various emergency services, including 108 and 104, is also deplorable. This must all change," she said.
One wonders how her comments will sit with the TRS, and how this will affect the
bonhomie shared by KCR's son, IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao, and her brother, AP CM Jagan.
Sharmila, who is currently involved in preparations for the launch of her party in Telangana, has maintained that she will continue to conduct more meetings with the people of the state before finally deciding whether to float the party or not.