In Vijayawada, on December 18, the president of the YSR Congress Party and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, presented a staggering one crore signatures opposing the privatisation of medical colleges to Governor S. Abdul Nazeer.

Accompanied by leaders from the YSRCP, Jagan met with the Governor to formally deliver the one crore signatures along with a detailed representation.

According to YSRCP representatives, the vehicles transporting the signatures arrived at Lok Bhavan where officials from the Governor’s office scrutinised the documents.

During the meeting, the former Chief Minister elaborated on the intense public backlash against the decision of the Chandrababu Naidu government to privatise government medical colleges, asserting that the signatures signify the unified will of the populace to protect public healthcare and ensure affordable medical education.

He referred to the one crore signatures campaign as a peaceful democratic referendum conducted statewide.

Prior to his meeting with the Governor, the YSRCP leader paid respects at the B.R. Ambedkar Social Justice Memorial, reinforcing that the initiative is founded on principles of constitutional values, social justice, and the right to health.

Following the meeting, Jagan Mohan Reddy informed the media that the poor and middle-class families stand to gain only when hospitals are part of the government sector, as private entities often exploit individuals with exorbitant charges. He noted that the Governor was informed of how the privatisation move adversely impacts the less privileged segments of society.

YS Jagan also indicated that the party intends to approach the courts and file affidavits, warning that if privatisation remains unchallenged, future generations will be adversely affected, and healthcare will fall entirely into private hands, leading to unchecked exploitation.

He highlighted that the 17 government medical colleges established during his tenure would greatly increase medical seats at fees significantly lower than those of private institutions, asserting that total privatisation would exacerbate the exploitation.