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Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said his life’s mission, along with that of YS Sharmila and KVP Ramachandra Rao, is to work tirelessly to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister of India. He recalled that YSR had himself declared that his ultimate dream was to see Rahul Gandhi as the PM of the country.

Revanth Reddy, participated as the Chief Guest at the YSR Memorial Awards ceremony held at Hotel Daspalla on Tuesday evening. The event honoured Subhash Palekar for propagation of "Subhash Palekar Krishi" and Dr C Sudha and Dr C Nageswara Rao for excellence in Natural Farming with the prestigious YSR Memorial Awards 2025. Subhash Palekar was presented with a cheque of Rs 25 lakh by CM with KVP's three grandsons also present.

Addressing the gathering comprising Congress leaders, colleagues of YSR and his supporters and farmers, the Chief Minister paid glowing tributes to the late leader and his close associate KVP Ramachandra Rao. 

Revanth praised YSR for transforming agriculture by ensuring free power to farmers, waiving their power dues and cases, and introducing schemes like Aarogyasri and fee reimbursement that became benchmarks for welfare governance. “Free power means people recall only YSR,” he said, noting that successive governments were compelled to continue these welfare schemes because of the impact YSR created.

He credited YSR’s vision for large-scale irrigation initiatives such as the Pranahita–Chevella project to prevent drought and migration, and SLBC to address Nalgonda’s fluoride issue. “Though the Pranahita-Chevella project and SLBC tunnel works were stalled midway, our government will complete both projects to fulfil the farmers’ dream,” the CM announced.

Highlighting his government’s initiatives inspired by YSR, Revanth Reddy said within three months of assuming office, the Congress government in Telangana waived ₹20,617 crore of farm loans benefiting over 25 lakh farmers, besides giving ₹500 bonus per quintal for paddy and procuring every grain. He added that free distribution of fine rice to 3.10 crore people in the state also carried YSR’s legacy.

Recalling his personal interactions, CM said that even as a first-time MLA in opposition, YSR responded to his criticisms in the Assembly with maturity and without arrogance. “YSR used to say he had no nerve for anger,” Revanth Reddy remarked, stressing that the late leader always respected opposition viewpoints.

In a heartfelt moment, CM remarked, “For this generation, there is only one YSR and one KVP,” referring to the enduring friendship between YSR and KVP Ramachandra Rao. He cautioned against superficial attempts to emulate such relationships, underscoring the depth and loyalty they represented.

“This generation has seen only one YSR and one KVP. Their dedication is unmatched," CM pointed out.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of reducing chemical fertilizer usage, urging farmers to adopt natural methods inspired by Subhash Palekar. He highlighted the economic drain caused by fertilizer imports and stressed the need to retain wealth within the country.

Former Haryana CM and Distinguished Special Guest for the programme Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who was a contemporary of Dr YSR, recalled his good association with the former AP CM. We both were parliamentarians from 1991 to 1999 and were CMs of respective states from 2004 onwards. Hooda said what struck him most was YSR's concern for the Agriculture sector and the farming community always. Whether it was in parliament or during his padayatra or when he became CM, he accorded top priority to the agriculture sector. Free power to farmers, Jalayagnam to construct irrigation projects etc have got national appreciation, the former Haryana CM said. Hooda said the undivided Andhra Pradesh (earlier) or both Telugu states (now) and Haryana are agriculture dependent states.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said the Congress government in Telangana is advancing by implementing the vision of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and the ideology of the Congress Party. Speaking at the YSR Memorial Awards Ceremony, he recalled YSR’s welfare legacy—free electricity to farmers, Rajiv Aarogyasri, fee reimbursement, and timely crop loans—measures that addressed education, health, and farming challenges and became benchmarks for welfare governance.

Bhatti highlighted that within three months of coming to power, Rs 21,000 crore crop loans were waived, Rs 9,000 crore deposited under Rythu Bharosa, MSP with ₹500 bonus ensured for fine rice, and Aarogyasri coverage raised to Rs 10 lakh. He described YSR as a visionary who inspired many and personally taught him how to effectively represent people’s issues in the legislature with clarity and commitment.

Praising KVP Ramachandra Rao and his family for instituting the ₹25 lakh YSR Memorial Award, he said honoring YSR’s ideals, especially in agriculture, his dearest sector, was a highly commendable and historic initiative.

IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said he was fortunate to be part of YSR's Cabinet. He recalled Rajashekara Reddy's calls to Congress MLAs to focus more on agriculture and issues in the rural villages. It was no surprise to all of us when he signed the first file relating to free power to farmers after taking oath in LB Stadium. 

Initially senior officials had doubts on 7 hours power to farmers. In a meeting that lasted a few hours, YSR heard them patiently and guided them thus successfully implementing the scheme, Sridhar Babu said.

The IT Minister said the Congress government in Telangana, took a leaf out of YSR's book, and implemented various schemes for the welfare of the farming community in the state.

TPCC President MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud paid rich tributes to former CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, describing him as a great leader who rewrote history and brought Congress to power in 2004 with the slogan Raithu Raju. He said YSR’s landmark schemes like free power, Aarogyasri, 108 services, and Fee Reimbursement remain etched in people’s hearts, giving poor students access to corporate education. Inspired by YSR, he said CM Revanth Reddy is prioritizing farmers’ welfare with ₹2 lakh loan waiver, Rythu Bharosa, and renewed focus on education and healthcare. He vowed to carry forward YSR’s vision with dedication.

CWC member and former Agriculture Minister in YSR's Cabinet Raghuveera Reddy said that YSR, Farmers or Agriculture were inseparable and the three words were one and the same. This itself was an indication of the importance given by the former CM to the agriculture sector. The famous slogan "Raithe Raju" (translates to "Farmer is the King") was indeed a reality during YSR's term.

AP Congress President YS Sharmila, AP Deputy Speaker Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju came towards the end of the programme.