Jagan Mohan Reddy elected lifetime president of YSRCP

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was on Saturday elected "president for lifetime" of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress (YSRC). The decision was taken at the concluding day of the YSRC's two-day plenary after an amendment to the party's constitution.

Party's Parliamentary Party Leader Vijayasai Reddy said earlier in the day that Jagan Mohan Reddy will be made lifetime president of YSRCP. YS Vijayamma, mother of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, had said on Friday that she is thinking of stepping aside from her role as honorary president of YSRCP to help her daughter YS Sharmila in Telangana.

Sharmila floated YSR Telangana Party last year with a view to fight the assembly polls in the state. Vijayasai Reddy also said that support is required for Sharmila in Telangana at present.

"Support for YS Sharmila is required in Telangana at this time... Our present party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will be made lifetime president of YSRCP. In this plenary, a proposal was mooted," he said. Jagan Mohan Reddy formed the YSRCP in March 2011 after severing ties with the Congress and has held the post of party president while his mother Vijayamma has been honorary president.

Vijayamma said on Friday that when Jagan Mohan Reddy was in trouble she was with him and now she should support her daughter. "I am thinking of stepping aside from this party. Sharmila is fighting alone. As Rajasekhara Reddy's wife and mother of Sharmila I have to stand with her, my heart tells me," Vijayamma had said at the party's national plenary.

"When he (YS Jagan Mohan Reddy) was in trouble I was with him, now he is happy here. My daughter (YS Sharmila) is fighting alone, if I don't support her, it will be injustice...I am telling you all about this and I request all to forgive me," she added. Telangana will go for assembly polls in 2023. Vijayamma's remarks indicated that Sharmila will get the full backing of the party in the assembly polls.