Jagan Will Stand By His Word, Bless Him: Vijayamma

YSR Congress Party Honorary President, YS Vijayamma sought the support and blessings of the public for the success of her son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Praja Sankalpa Yatra because despite numerous hurdles and extreme opposition, he has been striving for people's welfare and is forging ahead towards the goal. Like his father, Jagan too has the urge to work for people and he will also be in people's hearts forever, she said. She pointed out that after the death of Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan stuck to his word of serving the people of the state and this was the reason he was forced to come out of the Congress party. It was sad to see that the son of a person who sacrificed three decades of his life to Congress party being charged with cases, she observed. Moreover, Jagan never had the ambition to become the chief minister, she clarified and went on to question what had CM Chandrababu done for the people for them to vote him back to power. In an interview to Kommineni Srinivasa Rao on Sakshi TV, Vijayamma also mentioned that people had been witness to Dr YSR’s rule and hence they wanted Jagan to usher in the Rajanna Rajyam. Excerpts from the interview:

It has been nine years since YS Rajasekhara Reddy passed away. How do you feel when you look back at the problems you have faced over this period?

Vijayamma: The first shock was Dr YSR’s death itself. He had served the Congress for 35 years. After his death, the Congress party turned its back on his memory and abdondoned Jagan. The most unfortunate thing was that all those who piggybacked on him - supporters, followers and close aides never came to stand by the family during those tough times. They foisted false cases against Jagan and sent him to jail. Despite all these difficulties, Jagan is moving ahead. Jagan never had the intention to come out of Congress, but they created circumstances that forced him to walk away from the party. He denied Central Ministerial post when offered, what he asked was only the permission to go on Odarpu Yatra. During that period, everyone who was nice to us reportedly passed on false information about Jagan to Sonia Gandhi and the top leadership. And Sonia Gandhi seems to have believed it.

Had you compromised on just one issue, you wouldn't have faced so much difficulty, isn't it?

Vijayamma: They stopped Odarpu Yatra because they never expected or gauged the kind of popularity that Dr YSR enjoyed. They realised it after they gave permission to go on Yatra in one district and found even Jagan getting similar reception. They were not happy with it. This was the reason they denied further permission for Odarpu Yatra. We wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi asking her to allow us to explain the situation and why the Yatra was important. Five weeks later she called us for a meeting. Sharmila, Jagan, Bharatamma and I went for the meeting during which she said, "You are not allowed to go on Odarpu Yatra across the state, do it in one place and bring all the people to that place. This is the party's decision."

On hearing this, Sharmila broke down and tried to persuade her by saying, "It was fair on our part to visit the house of the people who committed suicide on hearing the news of father's death." We were against calling all the bereaved families to one place. Hence this was the primary reason for Jagan to defy the Congress diktat and continue with his Odarpu Yatra. Initially all the MLAs, MPs and ministers were asked not to go or support Odarpu Yatra, but eventually things changed.

Is it true that KVP had mentioned: if you go out of the party, you will have to face a lot of problems?

Vijayamma: Yes, many people told us and even informed us that if Jagan continued in the party he would be made the chief minister. On the other hand, they created situation that forced him to come out of the Congress party. They tried to restrict him to Kadapa and above all, Jagan didn't like the conspiracy to create a rift between him and his uncle. That was the time he told me that we cannot continue to be in the party anymore.

Did you agree for the establishment of a new party?

Vijayamma: That was the right thing to do at that time.

What do you think of Jagan’s Praja Sankalpa Yatra?

Vijayamma: I have seen three padayatras happening from this family (Dr YSR, Sharmila and Jagan). All three with the same goal and intent- to stay with people and do good for them. This desire is more in Jagan and this was the reason for him to get into politics. When I see Jagan giving assurance to people who come to him for help, I am reminded of Dr YSR.

Chandrababu made a comment in the Assembly on your son's upbringing...

Vijayamma: I don't like to criticise anybody. My son doesn't indulge in any bad habits like smoking or drinking. He believes in working and is happy to spend quality time with family.

How did you feel when Chandrababu criticised Jagan?

Vijayamma: I felt very sad when ministers targeted Jagan in the Assembly, when some leaders spoke ill of Jagan and levelled false allegations. Jagan was very strong and in fact he consoled me, asking me not to get upset saying this was expected of them.

Your thoughts on the tremendous response for Praja Sankalpa Yatra?

Vijayamma: It is heartening to note lakhs of people turn out for Jagan’s padayatra. According to me, it is not important to count the number of kilometres he has walked. It is important to understand how many lakhs of people we have met. How many people have we been able to give confidence and support to? How many people have we been able to give strength? These are the aspects that are important to me. It took 25 years for Dr YSR to become the chief minister and all along people believed him to be their leader and supported him. This was the reason Dr YSR always told us that we are indebted to people and today I am proud that my son is with the people.

What do you think of Jagan and YSRCP's future?

Vijayamma: People are wise and they know everything. Today, Jagan has promised to help them out with their problems. People believe that he will also do good to them like his father. They are confident that Dr YSR family will deliver what they promise, while they have lost faith in Chandrababu. Since Jagan belongs to the YSR clan, they trust him and he will definitely form the next government and will take up welfare schemes like his father.

Do you see any shortcomings in Jagan's padayatra?

Vijayamma: Jagan has faced numerous hurdles after his father's death, but he has never stepped back from lending a helping hand to people in need. This is a special quality in him and there are no shortcomings in his walkathon.

As a mother, how did you feel when cases were filed against Jagan?

Vijayamma: I felt very sad. Dr YSR selflessly served the Congress party for over three decades. Whenever party workers said Rajasekhara Reddy Zindabad, he suggested that they say Rajiv Gandhi Zindabad. It was sad to note that the son of such a selfless leader was implicated in cases.

Do you think there is any substance in the cases filed against Jagan?

Vijayamma: As long as Dr YSR and Jagan were with the Congress, they were good people. As soon as the decision to float a separate party was taken, they turned into bad persons. Within a week after the decision to float a new political outfit, notices were sent and cases were filed against Jagan. Today when they have all the evidence in "Note for Vote" case, they are not taking any action. On the other hand, they filed false cases against Jagan based on anonymous letters to the court. The Congress and TDP were hand-in-glove in filing these cases.

Have you any regrets of Jagan being in politics?

Vijayamma: I felt sad and told Jagan that if we go against them we will have to face numerous problems. But he insisted on defending he truth. Jagan doesn't know to lie and he is fighting all the cases legally. He believes God will support the virtuous and one should not be afraid of anything because we have done no wrong.

Did you ever imagine that Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy would become the chief minister one day?

Vijayamma: At the time TDP was launched by NTR, many senior Congress leaders switched sides and Dr. YSR became the PCC Chief at a very young age. He had then faced many problems and other leaders did not extend their cooperation to him even for an event such as holding a small meeting.

At that time Dr. YSR brought everyone on to a single platform and strengthened the party in the state. Those were the days when it was said Rajasekhara Reddy is Congress, Congress is Rajasekhara Reddy. He had become synonymous with the party. Ten years before he actually became the CM, there was talk that he will become Chief Minister. As for me, I had no interest in politics. Even after he became the CM he spent quality time with the family happily and we never discussed politics.

Of the many schemes Dr. YSR had introduced, which one appeals to you the most?

Vijayamma: All the schemes introduced by Dr. YSR are good welfare schemes, and even today none of them can be done away with. A lot of thinking went behind every programme and he would always think of improving them further. All the projects that Chandrababu has introduced are because of Rajasekhara Reddy’s initiatives. Can Chandrababu stop Agrogya Sri or fee reimbursement? Their efforts to erase the name of Dr. YSR will never materialize because of his welfare programmes.

Despite inclement weather on that fateful day, why did Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy undertake the tour to Chittoor? Didn’t the officials warn him? Or did he not heed their words? Can you tell us what exactly transpired that day?

Vijayamma: On that fateful day even I asked him to stay back as it was raining. But he insisted on going because he was driven by the passion to serve the people of the state. He used to say that within three years Polavaram and Pranahita will be completed. He also mentioned these schemes and projects to Sonia Gandhi and asked her to take a call on funding these projects only after seeing the election results. He had promised the high command that the state would contribute 33-36 MPs to the Lok Sabha, while they were of the belief that they would get 12 seats only.

Is Dr. YSR’s death a conspiracy or an accident?

Vijayamma: I was also of the opinion that something fishy had happened, but Jagan told me that unless the Central and State governments take this up, nothing will come out. Jagan said that they were not bothered about this issue and that, therefore, nothing will be known.

How did you feel when you heard that Jagan’s daughter Harsha had secured admission into London School of Economics?

Vijayamma: She is a very intelligent and hardworking girl, and I believe that she can secure admission in any good university. She studies well, and reads not just books related to her subject, but thousands of other books on diverse topics..

Please tell us about your childhood and education

Vijayamma: Till my eighth class I grew up with my grandparents in a village near Yadiki. Then I came to Pulivendula and got married to Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy while I was studying Intermediate First year.

Will you and Sharmila campaign for the 2019 elections?

Vijayamma: In 2014, when Jagan was not available we campaigned. Now it is a small state with just 13 districts so I might not be there. But if and when needed we will definitely campaign.

What is your routine at home?

Vijayamma: In the morning, all the family members get together. If Jagan is free he also joins us. Spending quality time every day with family is a practice since the time of Dr YSR.

Are your grandchildren interested in politics?

Vijayamma: They are very young. My daughter-in-law Bharati is like my own daughter. I consider each of them as God's gift.

How do you think you will come out of the present crisis?

Vijayamma: I believe that God will show the way out of all troubles. God gives the strength to stand strong during troubled times and Jagan has that strength. Whatever we do, we are answerable to God.

Is it true that Dr YSR and Chandrababu were friends when he first got elected to the AP Assembly in 1978 and that Dr YSR had a big role to play in getting a ministerial post for Babu?

Vijayamma: Those days they were together, Chandrababu, KE Krishnamurthy and Dr YSR. He was a regular to our house. During that time Dr YSR requested the then CM Anjaiah to give Chandrababu ministership.

What is the difference between Dr YSR and Chandrababu?

Vijayamma: They both are poles apart and incomparable.

Why should people want Jagan as CM instead of Chandrababu?

Vijayamma: Anyone at the helm of power should do good for the public as they will vote for only those who they believe will do good. Jagan has vowed to work for the benefit of people, they will trust him because they have seen Dr YSR rule and definitely know that his son will also do the same. And I can clearly see that people want Jagan to be the CM. While Chandrababu has unfaithful MLAs, we have faithful people with us. I am reminded of what Dr YSR used to say, be with the people, the leaders will follow.

Did you ever think Jagan will get into politics?

Vijayamma: During the 2009 elections, Jagan was not ready to fight elections, he was insisting on giving the seat to his uncle. But Dr YSR told him: “My 30 years of experience will be useful to you. Moreover, if you have to do something good for people you should be in power.”

What is your opinion on AP Special Status?

Vijayamma: After the bifurcation of the state, Andhra Pradesh lost Hyderabad and so it is important to get Special Status. There are no industries and hospitals like in Hyderabad. Building another capital like Hyderabad would be a huge challenge. AP tops with respect to atrocities against women. Over the last four years, has Chandrababu constructed the state Assembly or High Court? Chandrababu has not done justice to anybody. How many people has he helped? Has he done any one thing for people to remember him by? I am sure people will give him a fitting reply.

How do people say that Jagan is better than Chandrababu and vote for him?

Vijayamma: During a meeting of the MPs, Dr YSR had asked Chandrababu to take up pending projects and finish them. It’s been 14 years since he has been in power but has no work to show. Why would people want to elect such a person?

It is said that in the upcoming elections, Chandrababu will spend huge amounts of money. Does your party have that kind of money power? What is your take on the way your party is functioning?

Vijayamma: Experience might be of some help. But any leader should have a human touch, only then can we do good for the people. Jagan is humane, Chandrababu isn't. His experience has been of no help to the state till now.

You have mentioned that you have dedicated Jagan to the people, how are people taking care of him?

Vijayamma: Not a single person sat at home without coming out to see Jagan during the Odarpu Yatra and it was a similar experience when I went on Yatra. People showered love upon us. This family is indebted to people and similarly people have reciprocated the warmth. My son will do good for all.