Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan's mother quits YSR Congress to side with daughter
Amaravati, Jul 8: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's mother Y S Vijayamma on Friday resigned as honorary president of YSR Congress party to stand by her daughter Sharmila, who is now heading the YSR Telangana party in the neighbouring state.
Announcing her decision to quit, she said she would always be close to Jagan Mohan Reddy.
"As a mother, I will always be close to Jagan," Vijayamma maintained, announcing her decision to quit the YSRC, at the party plenary that began here on Friday.
"Sharmila is waging a lone battle in Telangana, to carry forward her father's ideals. I have to support her. I was in a dilemma whether I could be a member of two political parties (in two states). It is difficult for me to continue as honorary president of YSRC, Vijayamma said.
"I never imagined such a situation would ever arise. I don't know why it happened, but I feel it is a decision of God," she remarked.
Vijayamma said she was stepping down as YSRC honorary president to avoid any unwanted controversy over her role.
For some time now there have been reports that all is not well between Jagan Mohan Reddy and his sister over property related issues. The acrimony between the two had escalated in recent times and Vijayamma has been staying away from her son.
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Second batch of Dasara elephants arrives in Mysuru, training for grand finale intensifies
Mysuru : Mysuru welcomed the second batch of five Dasara elephants, including three debutants, on Monday evening. Their weights were recorded Tuesday morning at the 60-year-old lorry weighing bridge on Dhanvanthri Road, as reported by Deccan Herald.
Among them, 43-year-old Sugreeva from Dubare camp topped the scales at 5,545 kg, followed closely by 56-year-old newcomer Srikanta from Matthigodu camp of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve at 5,540 kg. Gopi (42) from Dubare camp weighed 4,990 kg, while debutant Roopa (44) from Bheemanakatte camp registered 3,320 kg. The youngest, Hemavathi (11) from Dubare, weighed 2,440 kg.
This second batch has joined the first group of nine elephants : Abhimanyu, Lakshmi, Kaveri, Bheema, Mahendra, Ekalavya, Prashantha, Dhananjaya, and Kanjan , for daily training sessions.
On Tuesday morning, all 14 elephants marched in perfect formation along the Jamboo Savari procession route (Raja Marga), from Mysuru Palace’s North Gate to Government Ayurveda College Circle. Spectators thronged the streets to photograph and record the majestic sight. Forest officials, police, and a metal detector-equipped escort vehicle accompanied the herd to ensure safety.
With 36 days left until the iconic Dasara Jamboo Savari on October 2, training will now intensify. The elephants are currently being acclimatised to the procession route, both in daylight and under evening lights. Upcoming sessions will include familiarisation with cannon fire, participation in royal family rituals, and practice with wooden howdahs weighing as much as the 750-kg golden howdah carried by Abhimanyu for the past five years.
To build stamina, the elephants are on a special diet of boiled rice with pulses, vegetables, and butter before and after training, supplemented with paddy, coconut, jaggery, groundnut cake, sugarcane, and fresh fodder during the day.
The first batch of nine elephants arrived on August 4 after the traditional Gajapayana send-off from Veeranahosahalli near Nagarahole Tiger Reserve and were welcomed at Mysuru Palace.
