Jagan kicks off Sankharavam with a blazing start

Kuppam (Chittoor dist), November 30: Taking on the Leader of Opposition and Chief Minister on their home turf, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the Samaikya Sankharavan yatra with a firm resolve to keep the State united and expose the nefarious designs of Congress and TDP to split the state for the sake of a few votes and seats giving scant respect to the sentiments of the local people.

'This is a fight between the Delhi arrogance and the Telugu self respect in which sons of the soil, N Chandrababu Naidu and N Kiran Kumar Reddy are playing foul and are helping Delhi to split the state for political reasons. We will not allow this to happen as united state is the will and wish of the people,' he said amidst cheers at the mammoth public meeting here on Saturday.

Hitting the nail on its head, the YSRCP President said Sonia Gandhi is splitting the State to see that her son is made Prime Minister. She has not an iota of respect to the children of this region. Chandrababu Naidu, who represents this constituency and Kiran Kumar Reddy, who hails from this district, are brazenly supporting her in the task of dividing the state.

The three-some of Sonia Gandhi, Kiran Kumar Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu should answer to the people as to what is the rationale behind the division, if not for a few seats and votes, he said at the meeting which started three hours behind schedule. People were packed on all sides of the road despite the delay.

This Yatra is aimed at changing the mind-set of the people who are unable to hear the people's voice that the state should be united and put an end to the dirty politicking and usher in a clean and healthy political atmosphere.

'I have toured all the states seeking support for a united state for the past two weeks and many leaders have understood that gross injustice is being done to Andhra Pradesh. Pity is that the Leader of Opposition, Chief Minister and Congress President are unable to understand the repercussions, he said.

It the State is divided there would be no water and it would turn into a desert. Today when the state is united, water is dropping into it only after the needs of upper states of Maharashtra and Karnataka are fulfilled.

If another comes in between, the situation would be worse. From Kuppam to Srikakulam, there would be water scarcity. Tribunals and Water Boards will not solve the water wars. We have seen how the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal has given us a raw deal.

'How can the division be justified, Chandrababu Naidu who has asked for packages should answer. Where will water come for Handri Neeva, Galeru Ngari and other projects?

Hyderabad is the other contentious issue. Where will the youth look at for jobs, but for Hyderabad? If legislation is passed and Sonia Gandhi, who took citizenship 30 years back though she was married to Rajiv Gandhi in 1968, is asked to go back to her own country what will be her reaction. In that case how can people who lived together for 60 years be separated,' he asked amidst huge round of applause from the public.

Unfortunately, people who do not know the history are on the Treasury Benches. Andhra Pradesh was formed only after Hyderabad State Assembly and Andhra State Assembly had passed a resolution with two-third majority for the merger and in favour of Vishalandhra (Andhra Pradesh) in 1956.

If Chandrababu Naidu is sincere, he should quit along with his MLAs and MPs and demand for a united State. Local people should insist that he withdraw the letter he has given in favour of the division.

Both Chief Minister and Naidu are helping in the division of the State. Kiran Kumar Reddy deals with the employees and sees to it that they call of their strike and Chandababu Naidu never utters the Samaikhay Andhra slogan.

If they are for a united state, they should have convened a special session of assembly and pass a resolution against the division, but that did not happen as they are on the other side, he said.

Chandrababu Naidu accuses YSRCP of unholy nexus with Congress. It is he who had mingled with Congress and filed a case against me, it was Naidu who helped Congress to wriggle out of the tight situation by asking his MPs to favour the ruling party during FDI voting, it was Naidu was asked his MLAs to help Congress while we moved a no confidence motion against Kiran Kumar Reddy Government.

Earlier, he was extended a rousing reception on arriving here three hours behind schedule. He unveiled the statue of YSR before kicking off the Samaikya Sankharavam with a hard hitting speech against the Congress and TDP.

A big contingent of local leaders that was with TDP for over 30 years had joined YSRCP on the occasion.

Earlier, he visited the house of Venkatesh, who died on hearing the news of YSR death and consoled the family members. The Samaikya Sankharavam will concurrently run with the unfinished Odarpu Yatra in Chittoor district.