A.P. Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila demands reinstallation of YSR’s statue at Nandigama centre

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y. S. Sharmila on Friday slammed the TDP-led NDA government in the State for removal of the statue of her father and former Chief Minister of the undivided State the late Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at Nandigama Gandhi Centre.

“On behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Party, we strongly condemn this act,” she posted on X. She said after YSR’s demise, the then government had installed his statue at Gandhi Centre in Nandigama. “If there are any illegal structures setup by YSRCP around the statue, remove them, we have no objection. But if you use that as an excuse to lay hands on YSR’s statues, we will not remain silent,” she warned and demanded immediate reinstallation of the statue in the place from which it was removed.

She said it was unfortunate that the government was trying to vent its anger on the YSR Congress Party by targeting YSR’s statues. Asserting that YSR did not have anything to do with YSR Congress Party, she said her father was a staunch Congress leader, who, as the Chief Minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, worked relentlessly for the welfare of the people at the grassroot level. “Such a great leader, who enjoyed such immense public affection, should not be associated with those who play petty politics. Removing his statue is a disgraceful act,” she reiterated.