There was a sea of humanity at Idupulapaya of YSR district in the heart of Rayalaseema region today. The otherwise serene picturesque environs reverberated with the slogans of “YSR Amar Raheye and Vijayamma, Sharmila Zindabad” as the late YSR’s daughter Sharmila began her maiden speech before setting off on the “Maro Maha Padayatra”.

Massive crowds, drawn from various parts of the State and different walks of like, gathered at Idupulapaya for the historic event of Sharmila setting her first step towards 3000-km-long walkathon from Idupulapaya to Ichachapuram on the Odisha border.

Since this morning, YSR fans, YSR Congress party activists, big and small, began trickling into this remote corner of the Rayalaseema region to listen to YSR Congress party honorary president Vijayamma and Sharmila. The crowd -- young, old and infirm, men and women -- swelled by 11 am and turned into a sea of humanity when Vijayamma and Sharmila, accompanied by their family members and party leaders began paying glowing tributes at the YSR Ghat.

There was total silence as they were paying rich tributes to the towering personality at YSR Ghat at Idupulapaya, which was very close to the heart of the late leader. Vijayamma, Sharmila and her sister-in-law Bharathi walked to the dais with thousands of party functionaries weaving the way to the podium.

Later, as Vijayamma held the microphone to address the gigantic gathering, she was received with thunderous applause from the crowd. Even as she began explaining as to how YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was sent to prison with the unholy nexus between the Congress and the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the warmth with which the public received the words was quiet visible on their faces.

The crowd lustily greeted Vijayamma when she said that she was sending her daughter Sharmila to the people of the State and appealed to them to welcome her cardially. “Please treat Sharmila as your kin and extend all that warmth of your family member,”

As Vijayamma began to explain in detail how the sanction of bail for Jagan was being prevented repeatedly by Union Minister P Chidambaram in close association with the TDP in the State leaving Jagan alone inside the prison, she could not control her emotions. Tears began rolling down from her eyes which sent the crowd into a pensive mood for a moment.

When Sharmila began her address, the massive gathering welcomed her with loud cheers. She was so submissive to the crowd that she introduced herself as the daughter of “your Rajanna and sister of your Jaganna. And, I am Sharmila.” Even as she continued her speech, the crowd wished her all success in her endeavor.

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- Prasad@sakshipost