YSR Congress completes one year

                                                                      

Hyderabad: YSR Congress president and Kadapa MP, YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Monday said his party would strive to usher in "value-based politics".

"We have been facing a lot of trouble over the past one year, but what kept us going is the faith people have placed in us," Jagan told partymen after hoisting the YSRC flag at the party headquarters here on the occasion of its first anniversary.

"Initially, there was discouragement from many quarters. Some of them said coming out of Congress would be suicidal.
                                                             
in a programme organised here, while other key leaders of the party celebrated the occasion in districts.

Only a handful of leaders were present here as all 16 former MLAs, who were disqualified by the Speaker earlier this month, owing allegiance to the party and another former MLA whose resignation was accepted participated in the party's first anniversary in districts.

Re-election of Jagan from Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and his mother Y.S. Vijayamma from Pulivendula Assembly seat with record majority in May last has been the silver lining event in the party's small journey so far.

Inquiries by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged amassing of wealth by Jagan and probe into illegal mining and others permitted by the Congress government headed by Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy have come in to haunt the party during the year.

The party is now planning to redeem its pride by winning by-elections to 17 Assembly constituencies whenever they are held. Speaking after hoisting the party flag, Jaganmohan Reddy said they would fight the by-elections for the poor and farmers.

He explained the circumstances that led to his quitting of the Congress and floating the new party.

There were times when he wondered whether he had committed political suicide by quitting Congress and floating a new party, he said. “It is not important how long I live but it is important how I live and how I help those who believed in my father and in me,” he told himself and went ahead, he said.