Sharmila Targets Jagan Over Padayatra, Governance Record

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y.S. Sharmila on Thursday launched a sharp attack on YSRCP chief and former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy over his proposed padayatra, questioning its timing and intent and asking what he had delivered to the people during his previous tenure.

Speaking at the Congress office at Andhra Ratna Bhavan here, Sharmila said Jagan’s announcement appeared to be a clear attempt to regain political power. “If people give him power again, what has he actually done for them earlier?” she asked, directly challenging his performance as chief minister.

She alleged that several projects under the YSR Jalayagnam remained incomplete and accused Jagan of failing to fulfill key election promises. Taking aim at his excise policy, Sharmila claimed that despite his stand against the liquor mafia, liquor was freely available and that fake liquor rackets flourished, generating crores of rupees.

Referring to development works at Rushikonda, she alleged that the hill was “razed after Jagan came to power” and questioned his accessibility as chief minister. “Did he ever come among the people or give appointments even to party leaders?” she asked.

Quoting Abraham Lincoln, Sharmila, Jagan’s younger sister, said a person’s true nature becomes evident once in power, and that the public had already witnessed his style of functioning while he was in office. She remarked that power did not suit him and called for a change in his attitude.

Sharmila also questioned the rationale behind announcing a padayatra now if it was planned for July 2027. She asked why he had not undertaken a march earlier in support of MGNREGA workers and demanded clarity on the purpose of the proposed padayatra and who it was meant to benefit.