The Andhra Pradesh coalition government’s recent move to rename YSR District to YSR Kadapa District has drawn mixed reactions, even from within the legacy of the name itself. While welcoming the decision, AP Congress President Y. S. Sharmila also raised pointed questions about the motives behind the timing of the announcement.
Speaking on the development, Sharmila noted that the Congress Party originally named Kadapa after her late father, former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, following his untimely demise. “It was the Congress that honored YSR’s legacy by naming the district after him. We welcome the restoration of the full name — YSR Kadapa District,” she stated.
However, Sharmila did not shy away from criticizing the timing of the Government Order. “It’s personally disappointing that this move came just a day before the Telugu Desam Party’s Mahanadu. It appears the decision was politically calculated to dilute references to YSR during the event,” she remarked.
Despite her personal reservations, Sharmila affirmed her party’s respect for the historical and cultural identity of Kadapa. She underscored that the Congress supports any move that preserves public sentiment and legacy.
But her remarks didn’t end there. In a bold challenge to the ruling coalition, Sharmila questioned the inconsistency in naming conventions. “If the government truly has no bias, then why not rename NTR District as NTR Vijayawada District, just as Kadapa was renamed YSR Kadapa District?” she asked.
Calling both Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and N. T. Rama Rao iconic sons of Telugu pride, she urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to avoid double standards when it comes to honoring political legacies. “Respect should be equal. Let there be no selective reverence,” Sharmila asserted. Her remarks have ignited a broader debate on political symbolism and legacy naming in Andhra Pradesh, as the state navigates a new chapter under its coalition leadership.
