Jagan to rename Krishna after NTR

Vijayawada: Taking the war into the enemy’s camp, YSRC president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on Monday announced that Krishna district would be named after NT Rama Rao once the YSRCP wins the Assembly elections next year.

The surprise announcement by the YSRC chief during his Praja Sankalpa padayatra to NTR’s birth place Nimmakuru is being interpreted as one intended to win the hearts of the Telugu Desam Party supporters by showing respect to the legendary leader. Jaganmohan Reddy’s promise also brings to the fore why the TDP leadership had not thought about it so far.

The Opposition leader continued his Praja Sankalpa Yatra on 149th day in Krishna district. Nimmakuru is the stronghold of the TDP. Nara Lokesh IT Minister and grandson of NT Rama Rao has adopted the village for its development. 

Jaganmohan Reddy, in his interaction with the villagers, told them that NTR deserved all the respect and as soon as he comes to power, he would name the district after NTR. Local villagers, including some relatives of N T Rama Rao erupted in joy with the announcement. Jaganmohan Reddy inspected the local water tank, where earth work was taking place with heavy machines as part of Neeru-Chettu scheme.    

The local villagers informed him that the Telugu Desam local leaders and functionaries were excavating earth and selling tractor loads of earth for Rs 350 and truck load at Rs 600. They said there was a total breakdown of administration in the villages and supporters of YSRCP were denied old-age pensions and other government benefits. 

Nandamuri Venkateswara Rao and N Prabhu, the two villagers, told the YSRC chief that the local officials have claimed bills for lakhs of rupees for earth excavation works. He expressed surprise over when the tank should be 40 feet deep and feared that it would become a death trap for cattle.

“The depth should have been four to five feet,” he said. He said he would develop not only Nimmakuru village but also the entire Krishna district if YSRCP is voted to power. Thousands of YSRCP functionaries and supporters joined the Praja Sankalpa Yatra in Pamarru mandal on 149th day.