I am the real alternative to TRS in Telangana: Sharmila

YSRTP chief completes 2,000 km of padayatra

YSR Telangana Party chief Y.S. Sharmila completed 2,000 km out of her intended 4,000 km Praja Prasthanam padayatra in Telangana on Saturday. She spoke to The Hindu about her experience, people’s response, failures of the government, political prospects of her party and YSR’s legacy that she feels belongs to her and not the Congress party.

Q: What difference do you want to make with this walkathon?

Ans: It’s not about the difference but about highlighting people’s problems. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao claims Telangana is in bliss but people are actually suffering. People are repeatedly saying KCR failed on all his promises like loan waiver, free education, 2-BHKs, a job for each house, unemployment dole, three acres of land, free fertilizers, reservations to minorities and land rights to STs. Aarogyasri, Jala Yagnam, Fee Reimbursement, loans to SHGs of YSR era are now shelved by the TRS.

Q: Do you think people still connect with YSR and those emotions?

Ans: There were such apprehensions among several but people’s tremendous response proves those apprehensions wrong. There is so much goodwill for YSR even now and people remember him and express their desire to see his kind of governance.

Q: There is a perception that Sharmila’s entry into Telangana is driven by some other parties?

Ans: That is wrong. I would have joined those political parties rather than working so hard on the ground. I am driven by the YSR brand and no party in Telangana has the credibility to inspire me to join them. I assure you this is not motivated by any other political party. It has its own identity.