Tadepalli, Nov 12: The State of Andhra Pradesh witnessed an unprecedented wave of public resistance today as lakhs of students, youth, doctors, women, and civil society members joined YSRCP's historic “Praja Garjana” against the coalition government’s move to privatize government medical colleges. From Srikakulam to Chittor, from Tirupati to Visakhapatnam, rallies erupted across all 175 Assembly constituencies, sending a clear message that public healthcare and medical education cannot be sold to private cartels.
Across the state, YSR Congress Party leaders led massive protests, submitted representations to local authorities, and mobilized the public in defense of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s vision of accessible medical education and world-class healthcare for the poor. Thousands marched despite police restrictions, barricades, bike key snatching, and house arrests at several centers.
Speaking in Guntur, former Minister Ambati Rambabu fired a powerful warning to the coalition government, stating: “We built 17 medical colleges with honesty and commitment to the poor. Chandrababu is now conspiring to hand them over to corporates and fill Lokesh's pockets. One crore signatures have already exposed this government’s betrayal. We will not stop until privatization is scrapped.” He condemned police harassment, declaring that no force can suppress a people’s movement defending public health.
In Machilipatnam, Perni Kittu questioned the regime’s intentions: “Chandrababu claims he diverted a cyclone, then why couldn’t he build a single medical college? This government couldn’t stop private urea scams, how can it stop corporate looting if medical colleges are handed to them?” He vowed that the fight will continue until every government medical college remained in public hands.
At Punganur, former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy reminded the public of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s transformational healthcare vision: “We created 2,150 new medical seats already, soon it will be 4,500. This is the first time poor students had such an opportunity. Chandrababu wants to snatch away this future and destroy the hopes of rural students. We will not allow this loot raj.”
Former Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, who faced police barring him from leading a rally in Vizianagaram, condemned the undemocratic actions: “The coalition government fears the people’s voice. They can stop rallies, but not public anger. YSRCP sowed dreams in the hearts of poor students, Chandrababu wants to crush them.”
From Pulivendula, YS Avinash Reddy declared that the people will protect the legacy of Dr. YSR and YS Jagan. “These medical colleges are not buildings, but they are dreams of lakhs of poor families. This fight is for justice.”
Police high-handedness was reported in multiple constituencies, bikes seized, leaders detained, key activists house-arrested, yet the movement only grew stronger with every attempt to suppress it. This unprecedented uprising has now become a people's referendum against privatization and a reaffirmation of the belief that healthcare must remain a public responsibility, not a corporate auction.
The YSR Congress Party declares that this struggle will intensify until the government fully withdraws its PPP decision and guarantees that all 17 government medical colleges remain with the people of Andhra Pradesh. The One Crore Signature campaign and today's “Praja Garjana” have made it clear that Andhra Pradesh stands united against privatization of Medical Colleges.
Leaders across regions, including Gudivada Amarnath, Kurasala Kannababu, Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Vallabhaneni Vamsi, Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, Meda Raghunath Reddy, RK Roja, and Devineni Avinash, and all the constituencies echoed a unified message
YSRCP Praja Garjana protest: People rise against Medical college privatization 
