Tadepalli, 28 October: The YSR Congress Party reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public healthcare and medical education in Andhra Pradesh, declaring that the ongoing one-crore signatures campaign against the privatization of government medical colleges is not merely a public exercise, it is a historic people’s uprising and the collective heartbeat of one crore families determined to protect their right to affordable and accessible healthcare.
The campaign has gained extraordinary momentum across the state, transforming into a mass movement despite torrential rains. Former public representatives, party leaders, cadres, and citizens are turning out in large numbers, demonstrating an unshakable resolve to defend public medical institutions. The YSRCP has launched Raachabanda (public grievance platform) programmes in villages and towns, mobilising support and raising awareness about the dangerous attempt to hand over medical colleges to private interests.
Party leaders condemned the ruling coalition for prioritizing the interests of its political bosses over the welfare of millions of poor families. They asserted that, in just 17 months, the government has dismantled critical public health initiatives and is now attempting to sell public medical colleges, institutions worth thousands of crores, through single-bid tenders at throwaway prices. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the privatization proposal and warned of intensified agitations across the state.
Leaders recalled that under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, Andhra Pradesh embarked on a revolutionary mission to establish one government medical college in every district, sanctioning 17 colleges in just five years. Today, they said, the coalition government is destroying that vision. They condemned the anti-poor agenda of the government, stating that it is the only regime that rejected additional medical seats and is now paving the path for corporatization of medical education.
They declared that public health and medical education are not commodities and vowed to continue the battle until the government withdraws its “immoral and anti-people” Policy
Ground Reports from State-wide Programs
• Bhattuvani Palli, Kalyandurg Mandal: Former MP & constituency coordinator Talari Rangaiah led the signature drive and Raachabanda meeting.
• Chundur Mandal: State representative & Vemuru constituency coordinator Varikuti Ashok Babu led mass signature collection.
• Koyarajamundry: Former MLA Tellam Balaraju supervised the program in Polavaram segment.
• Parvathipuram: Former MLA Alajangi Jogarao led the campaign in Bypass Colony, Ward 14.
• Agiripalli, Nuzvid Constituency: Coordinator Meka Venkata Pratap Apparao participated in the Raachabanda program.
• Jaggampeta: Constituency coordinator Thota Narasimham spearheaded the initiative.
• Kakinada Rural, Sarpavaram: Coordinator Kurasala Kannababu led the movement.
• Tuni – Kotananduru, Allipudi Village: District President Dadisetty Raja participated in the public protest meeting.
• Kondapi, Marripudi Mandal, Venkatakrishnapuram: Former Minister Adimulapu Suresh and constituency observers led the Raachabanda event.
Rachabanda programme was organized at Bhattuvanipalli village in Kalyandurg mandal. Former MP and Kalyandurg constituency coordinator Talari Rangaiah attended the event as the chief guest.
As part of the prestigious One Crore Signature Collection campaign undertaken by the YSRCP, state official spokesperson and Vemuru constituency coordinator Varikuti Ashok Babu, along with party leaders, participated in the signature collection drive at Chunduru mandal.
The One Crore Signature Collection programme was held at Koyarajamandri village under the leadership of Tellam Balaraju, former MLA of Polavaram constituency.
The Rachabanda programme was organized at Jaggampeta in the Jaggampeta constituency under the leadership of constituency coordinator Thota Narasimhama.
The Rachabanda programme was held at Sarpavaram in the Kakinada Rural constituency under the leadership of constituency coordinator Kurasala Kannababu.
Under the leadership of former Parvathipuram MLA Alajangi Jogarao, a One Crore Signature Collection – Public Movement was organized at Bypass Colony in the 14th ward of Parvathipuram Municipality opposing the privatization of medical colleges.
MLA Y. Balanagireddy inaugurated the One Crore Signature Collection programme at Mantralayam mandal headquarters, protesting against the PPP model in medical colleges.
Former Deputy Chief Minister S.B. Amzath Basha held a meeting with the Kadapa city mandal and zone presidents at his residence office in Kadapa city.
Former Deputy Chief Minister S.B. Amzath Basha organized the One Crore Signature Collection and Rachabanda programmes at his residence office in Kadapa city, along with the Kadapa city mandal and zone presidents.
As part of the One Crore Signature Public Movement opposing the privatization of medical colleges, a Rachabanda programme was organized at Allipudi village in Kotananduru mandal, Tuni constituency, with district president Dadishetti Raja participating in the event
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