In a Republic Day address at Andhra Ratna Bhavan, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila criticized the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, alleging a lack of action on the “growing attacks on Dalits and absence of social justice” in the state.
Sharmila, after unfurling the Tricolour, emphasized the importance of the Constitution granting equal rights to all citizens. She accused regional party leaders of becoming autocrats, making life difficult for the common man.
Referring to B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, Sharmila remarked that despite installing statues in the name of social justice, it continues to elude the lower strata of society.
“The governments have been installing mammoth statues of Dr. Ambedkar and calling it the Statue of Social Justice, but justice continues to elude the lower strata of society in reality,” she said.
She claimed that attacks on Dalits have increased in the last five years, and those questioning the government face harassment and imprisonment.
“People who try to question the government’s failures are being harassed and jailed. The SC/ST sub-plan funds have been diverted,” she said, demanding that this should stop, and averred that only the Congress party could stop this.
Alleging the diversion of SC/ST sub-plan funds, Sharmila demanded an end to this practice, asserting that only the Congress party could bring a halt to such actions.
She urged the public not to vote for parties unable to deliver on promises such as Special Category Status (SCS) and completion of the Polavaram project made during the state’s bifurcation.
Responding to allegations by former YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Konda Raghava Reddy, Sharmila denied claims that she sought personal gains through political manoeuvres. She challenged Reddy to prove the charges and clarified her involvement in the padayatra was at the request of her mother Vijayamma.
On the ‘YSR legacy,’ Sharmila asserted her commitment, stating, “Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s blood runs in me. I don’t need a certificate from anybody.” She joined the Congress party to sincerely work towards the goals set by her father.
The event was attended by Congress Working Committee member N. Raghuveera Reddy, former Union Ministers Pallam Raju and J.D. Seelam, special invitee to the CWC Gidugu Rudra Raju, and other senior party leaders.