Amaravati, July 8 – YS Sharmila, the Andhra Congress chief, has made a heartfelt appeal to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the establishment of a memorial in Hyderabad dedicated to her late father, former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR).

In two letters dated July 6, which were shared with the media on Tuesday, Sharmila emphasized the significant welfare legacy left behind by YSR. She pointed out the absence of a dedicated space in Hyderabad where citizens can pay tribute to him, especially on his birth anniversary (July 8) and death anniversary (September 2).

YSR served as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh from 2004 until his tragic death in a helicopter crash over the Nallamala forest on September 2, 2009. Sharmila recalled his impactful welfare schemes, including Rajiv Aarogyasri, aimed at providing quality healthcare to the underprivileged, Indiramma Illu for welfare housing, fee reimbursement initiatives, pensions, and the provision of nine hours of free power for farmers. These initiatives have had a lasting positive impact on the lives of people in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

In her letter to Chief Minister Reddy, Sharmila stated, “As his daughter, and on behalf of countless Telangana residents who cherish his contributions, I humbly urge you to allocate land for a YSR memorial.” She highlighted that even after 16 years since his passing, there remains no designated site in Hyderabad for the public to honor his memory.

Sharmila believes that establishing a memorial would not only honor YSR’s legacy but also align with Telangana’s vision of inclusive development, recognizing the shared history of the region. She expressed that a YSR memorial would serve as an inspiration for future generations and celebrate a leader who prioritized the welfare of the people in governance.

In her correspondence with Sonia Gandhi, Sharmila acknowledged the Congress leadership’s respect for YSR and sought her support in facilitating the establishment of the memorial. She concluded by stating, “This gesture would mean a great deal to citizens whose lives were transformed by his compassion and policies,” emphasizing the importance of preserving his enduring ideals and legacy across the Telugu-speaking states.