Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and his sister Y.S. Sharmila, state Congress President, on Wednesday, 8 July separately paid tributes to their late father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) at YSR Ghat in Idupulapaya, YSR Kadapa district, on what would have been the former Chief Minister's 77th birth anniversary. The commemoration drew large numbers of party workers, public representatives, and admirers to the memorial site.

Tributes at YSR Ghat

Jagan Mohan Reddy arrived at the memorial accompanied by his mother Y.S. Vijayamma, wife Y.S. Bharati, and other family members. He laid a wreath on YSR's grave and participated in special prayers conducted by religious leaders. Senior YSRCP leaders, present and former public representatives, and party workers also offered floral tributes and observed a few minutes of silence.

Jagan Mohan Reddy later posted on X: 'Miss You Dad... You are my inspiration... your blessings are my strength,' accompanied by photographs taken at the grave site.

What Sharmila Said

Y.S. Sharmila paid tributes separately at the same memorial. Vijayamma and Sharmila's children were also present. Speaking to the media, Sharmila described YSR as 'a legendary leader whose legacy lives on forever.'

'Although this great leader served as Chief Minister for only five years, there is not a single household across the two Telugu states that has not benefited from his welfare schemes and development initiatives. He implemented programs like Arogyasri, fee reimbursement, free electricity, and Jalayagnam with genuine dedication,' she said.

Sharmila also noted that 700 people reportedly lost their lives in the immediate aftermath of YSR's passing — a figure she cited as testimony to the depth of public affection for the late leader. On behalf of the family, she thanked 'crores of Telugu people who cherish YSR's memory.'

YSR's Legacy

Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy served as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh and is widely credited with large-scale welfare initiatives including the Arogyasri health scheme, agricultural loan waivers, fee reimbursement for students, and the Jalayagnam irrigation programme. YSRCP leaders on Wednesday recalled his contributions to the poor, farmers, healthcare, education, and irrigation, describing him as a leader who 'dedicated his life to public service.'

A Family Divided

Notably, Jagan Mohan Reddy and Sharmila have attended YSR's birth and death anniversary events at YSR Ghat separately since a public estrangement developed between the siblings after Jagan became Chief Minister in 2019. Wednesday's commemoration continued that pattern, with both attending the same memorial at different times. This is the 77th birth anniversary of YSR, and the gathering at Idupulapaya underscored the enduring political and emotional weight his memory carries across the Telugu states.