After remaining incarcerated for about 16 months, YSR Congress president and Kadapa Member of Parliament, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy stepped out to freedom from the Chanchalguda prison at 3.55 p.m. on Tuesday as hundreds of cheering supporters raised slogans, burst firecrackers and danced with joy.
As soon as he came out, Mr. Jagan greeted the huge gathering with his trademark gestures of folded hands and waved to them while enthusiastic cadres of his party showered rose petals and jostled to shake hands.
Frenzied crowd
Police had a tough time pushing back frenzied crowd as it surged forward hindering the movement of the convoy.
The Chanchalguda prison and its surroundings were teeming with hundreds of YSR Congress activists and people from across the State, who had gathered since morning to catch a glimpse of their leader.
He released about half a dozen pigeons before getting into a waiting bullet-proof vehicle, part of a large convoy that proceeded from the Chanchalguda to his Lotus Pond residence in the posh Jubilee Hills area.
As the convoy made its way, the crowd continued to follow him on two-wheelers and a large number of four-wheelers.
At times, Mr. Jagan was forced to get off the vehicle and accept their greetings. He was lustily cheered at Moazzamjahi market and Khairatabad where former CLP leader P. Janardhan Reddy’s daughter Vijaya Reddy organised an impressive reception. A large number of tribal women welcomed him.
Emotional scenes
It took almost five-and-half hours for the convoy to reach the residence where he was given a traditional welcome by the family members. Emotional scenes were witnessed as his wife Bharathi Reddy, two daughters, Y.S. Vijayamma and Sharmila along with a large number of relatives offered harathi as stepped into the house. Police had to use mild force to bring order as the convoy reached the residence.
He was released by the jail authorities after his lawyers completed the formalities and a personal bond of Rs. 2 lakh was executed on his behalf and two sureties of the like sum were deposited.