Even before the government officially despatched bust-size portraits of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to be installed in all office chambers, members of YSRCP Students’ Union put up a photograph of their own choice on Sri Venkateswara University campus.
The photograph showing Mr. Jagan seated on a chair was fixed on the wall behind the Vice-Chancellor’s chair. Similar photos were also put up in the chambers of the Rector and the Registrar.
The students, led by YSRCP student wing’s Rayalaseema president Hariprasad Reddy apparently resorted to the act out of enthusiasm. However, the staff objected to the manner in which the students went ahead with their job, even as Vice-Chancellor V.V.N. Rajendra Prasad was seated in the chamber. Neither did the students seek his permission before installing the portrait, nor did the latter object to the same.
Eyebrows were raised when the students dangled a 40-foot-high flex image of Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy from atop the administrative building and another one from the welcome arch. Though they are present since the day of counting, nobody has dared to remove them. The party’s involvement was quite apparent even in the appointment of the Registrar. With the previous incumbent R.K. Anuradha, appointed during the TDP dispensation, stepping down on May 29, the Vice-Chancellor appointed Sridhar Reddy, a professor of physics, for the same post the next day.
The party has reportedly issued a veiled warning to the administrators not to take up any appointment without the consent of senior legislators from the district.
