In an open letter on Tuesday, 29 October, Vijayamma said that she was very much pained to see those who were an integral part of the YSR family, pointing accusing fingers at Sharmila on her claims to her share in the property.
Published Oct 30, 2024 | 12:36 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 30, 2024 | 12:51 PM
YS Vijayamma. (X)
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s mother YS Vijayamma has come out openly in support of her daughter Sharmila, declaring that all the assets that her husband late YS Rajasekhara Reddy had left behind belong to her two children equally.
In an open letter on Tuesday, 29 October, Vijayamma said that she was very much in pain to see those who were an integral part of the YSR family, pointing fingers at Sharmila on her claims to her share in the property.
She said that YSR had never divided assets between his children while he was alive, “The family took care of the assets, with individuals managing them. We were one family, and all assets were family assets. When division became imminent, Dr YSR departed suddenly.”
The letter further read: “For all those who have been pointing fingers at us, I use this occasion to pose one question — you were the ones who had always showered immense love and affection on Dr YSR. You have always been an integral part of Dr YSR’s family. For him, you were no less than family members. He loved you all. Now I plead with folded hands, do not indulge in mudslinging at us on social media.”
She said that recently former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman YV Subba Reddy and YSRCP Rajya Sabha member V Vijayasai Reddy had resorted to denting the image of the YSR family.
She further claimed, “They have said that the division of properties was done when Dr YSR was alive. This is not true. I admit that YSR when he was alive, had a few properties registered in our son Jagan’s name and a few in our daughter Sharmila’s name. But this does not mean that the entire property was divided.”
“What is even more absurd is that these people even read out the list of properties that they claim YSR bequeathed to Sharmila. I wonder why they have not read out a similar list for Jagan. I once again assert that what YSR did was only earmark properties for his children; no division has happened.”
She said that Vijayasai Reddy, having served as an auditor, and Subba Reddy having signed the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) as a witness, being a member of the extended family, knew all about this. “Yet, the lies they peddled in the media left me in pain. As I have resolved to put an end to this episode, I make this clear: These are my children. YSR and I loved them more than anything in this world. For a mother, her children will always be equal.”
“At the same time, I respect the word of YSR as final and his will and aspiration are immutable and irrevocable. My four grandchildren have an equal share in assets. This is the directive as well as the mandate of Dr YSR. It is indeed Jagan’s efforts that saw the properties flourish. It is also true that every asset is a collective possession of the whole family.
“Jagan, as a responsible son, is mandated to safeguard the family’s assets. In the last days of Dr YSR’s life, Jagan also made a promise to him – ‘Apart from you, I stand in the forefront when it comes to taking care of Papa’ (read Sharmila)”, the letter read.
After YSR’s demise, she said they continued to stay as one family for ten years, from 2009 to 2019. “Jagan took his share of dividends and gave ₹200 crore to Sharmila, her share of the dividend. As per the MoU, Jagan would get 60 percent of the share and Sharmila, the remaining 40 percent. Before the signing of the MoU, the dividend used to be equally shared because Sharmila had an equal share according to YSR. I am privy to this, party to this, and a witness to this in the past and present.”
She said in 2019, after becoming the chief minister, Jagan proposed to divide the assets. He reasoned that “as the children are getting older and will have life partners sooner or later, it may not be same, and the cousins and siblings may prefer to part ways, unlike us. Therefore, I feel it is prudent to divide properties”.
Thus came the division between the two on the grounds of properties, Vijayamma said.
Vijayamma recalled that later in Vijayawada, in her presence, the division of properties was formalised. “It is the same MoU that Jagan quoted verbally and penned down in his own words. Because it was her right, they paid ₹ 200 crore dividend to Sharmila. Because Sharmila had a rightful share, they prepared this MoU and formalized it. The share of assets that Jagan has mandated to let Sharmila have rightfully belongs to her, and is not a gift. It is out of responsibility and integrity that Jagan must oblige.”
She said that as far as those properties that were not attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) — 100 percent of Saraswathi shares mentioned in the MoU, and 100 percent share of Yelahanka property not mentioned in the MoU — are concerned, Jagan promised in word and on paper that they would be given to Sharmila immediately.
While these were never transferred to Sharmila, the transfer of assets that were not in the ED attachment was also not done. Other ED-attached properties mentioned in the MoU as Sharmila’s share of Bharathi Cements, Sakshi Media and Dr YSR’s home, should come to her after the court cases are settled.
“We all lived together as a family till 2019 and Sharmila was never involved in the management or operations of any businesses by Jagan. In spite of this, Sharmila followed Jagan’s path and directions and selflessly worked for him. Her efforts in Jagan’s victory are invaluable,” she said.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
