ANDHRA PRADESH: Sharmila Slams Jagan Over Fatal YSRCP Rally Incident
Tragic Death at Rally
On June 18, 2025, Cheeli Singayya, a 55-year-old YSRCP supporter, was fatally struck by a vehicle in former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s convoy during a rally in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. AP Congress Committee chief YS Sharmila condemned the incident, describing the visuals of Singayya’s death as “horrifying and heartbreaking.”
Sharmila’s Accusations
In a series of posts on X, Sharmila accused Jagan of causing Singayya’s death through reckless displays of force, questioning the YSRCP’s disregard for rally regulations. She criticized Jagan for continuing the convoy despite the accident and mobilizing thousands against police permissions for only 100 attendees.
Key Questions Raised
Sharmila posed pointed queries about Jagan’s leadership and accountability, including:
- Why did the convoy proceed after Singayya was struck?
- Who authorized exceeding rally attendance limits?
- Is political ambition justified by endangering lives?
Critique of Police Role
Sharmila questioned the Andhra Pradesh police’s inaction, alleging they acted as “spectators” despite intelligence failures and unauthorized crowd mobilization. She highlighted perceived leniency toward YSRCP compared to restrictions on Congress protests, such as house arrests and rally disruptions.
Political Context
The incident follows heightened tensions between YSRCP and the TDP-led coalition government, with Sharmila accusing both of enabling YSRCP’s aggressive tactics. She linked the rally to a YSRCP worker’s suicide, questioning the morality of politicizing deaths.
Call for Accountability
Sharmila demanded answers from Jagan and the state government regarding YSRCP’s conduct and alleged murders. The police have launched an investigation, but no official statement from YSRCP has been reported as of June 22, 2025.