New Delhi: YS Vijayalakshmi, a two-time lawmaker and mother of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, announced that she was quitting her post of honorary president of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday, news agency PTI reported. According to the report, she said she wished to resign in order to stand by her daughter YS Sharmila who launched a political party in Telangana last year. She announced her resignation at the party’s two-day plenary, which began in Guntur on Friday after five years.


According to the PTI report, she lamented that a fake resignation letter in her name was circulated in the social media a few days back. “How could they release a letter that I have not written or signed? They have created a campaign about the rift in our family. I am quitting the party (YSRC) to leave no scope for such things,” PTI quoted Vijayalakshmi, popularly known as Vijayamma, as saying.


"Sharmila is waging a lone battle in Telangana, to carry forward her father’s ideals. My conscience says 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," she said.


“I am confident YS Jagan will be re-elected as Chief Minister here again. I was with my son during his difficult times. Now they are in good times. I feel guilty if I don't stand with my daughter. So, hearing the voice of my conscience, I am quitting my honorary president post. I will continue to be with my son as his mother and with the people of Andhra Pradesh,” Vijayamma added.


It is to be noted that Vijayamma represented Pulivendula assembly constituency in the Kadapa district after the untimely demise of her husband, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy (YSR), in a helicopter crash in September 2009.


She unsuccessfully contested the 2014 national elections. Vijayamma has since kept away from electoral politics, however, she continued as YSRCP’s honorary president.


Her daughter, YS Sharmila, launched YSR Telangana Party in July 2021.