Rechristening NTR University as YSR creates chaos in AP

Vijayawada: Protests erupted across the State after high drama in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday-the last day of the winter session as Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy moved a Bill seeking to rename the NTR University of Health Sciences after late Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

The bill's adoption by voice vote was preceded by a ruckus created by the TDP MLAs following which Speaker Thammineni Seetharam summoned marshals to evict them after they refused to leave the house, after announcing suspension of 13 MLAs for the day - the fourth time during the four-day session.

Agitated TDP activists tore the controversial bill and tried to march towards the university to stage a protest. However, police who were deployed in large numbers foiled the attempt after taking many into custody. Protests were organised across the State with TDP leaders alleging that the renaming was an insult to legendary actor and former Chief Minister NTR. Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu assailed Jagan Mohan Reddy for indulging in 'petty politics' by insulting the TDP founder.

During NTR's Chief Ministership AP University of Health Sciences was established in 1986. It was named after his death in 1998.

Defending the renaming, Jagan Mohan Reddy said Naidu was responsible for the death of NTR after stabbing him from the back by engineering a coup to dislodge him from power after he led the party to spectacular comeback.

Justifying their decision, the Chief Minister said that it was a well thought move to give due credit to Dr YSR and he has by no means any disrespect towards NTR.

Intervening during the motion on passing the bill to rename NTR Health University to Dr YSR Health University, the Chief Minister said due credit should be given to the deserving as Dr YSR, a practicing medical doctor before joining politics, has been a pioneer in taking quality medicare to the common people with his innovative Aarogyasri, besides the 108 and 104 ambulance services. Of the existing 11 medical colleges in the State, nine were functioning even before TDP was formed and remaining have come into being with the initiative of Dr YSR. "Our government is adding 17 medical colleges to give a fillip to medicare."