YS Sharmila Writes Open Letter Amid Feud With Brother Jagan Mohan Reddy Over Family Assets

New Delhi: Estranged YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy's sister YS Sharmila said that all the businesses which were established when former Chief Minister and her father YS Rajasekhara Reddy was alive, are of family assets and Jagan is just a "guardian" of them. In an open letter, she said that her late father Rajasekhara Reddy’s intention was that Jagan should divide all the businesses equally among the four grandchildren - two each of Jagan and Sharmila. Through this letter, she attempted to reach all in whose hearts she believes Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy lives on.

She said she received Rs 200 crore during the past 10 years towards her family share as dividends from various companies which established the fact that all four grandchildren of Rajasekhara Reddy would get equal portions.

"They (all the assets) are not owned by Jagan. He is only the "Guardian" of all existing family businesses. It is the responsibility of Jagan to divide all the businesses equally among the four grandchildren. It was the mandate of (late) Rajasekhara Reddy. YSR conveyed his intention to his children and his wife. Close associates, including KVP Ramachandra Rao, YV Subbareddy and Vijayasai Reddy know about this," she said.

Here's the full text of YS Sharmila's Open Letter 

Of late, a most unfortunate turn of events pertaining to my family has left me in intense pain and trauma. Nobody would ever wish to have their family issues become a point of public discussion and intense street-side debates. Like any other family, we were two doting parents to two lovely children. My husband and I nurtured our children with good values and principals. As a family that has been in the public limelight, I am sure you will agree with me that we used to be ‘one’ family that loved and cared for each other.

I fail to understand what has caught the wrong side of destiny that we are today pushed to these levels of pain and misfortune. As I stare at the turn of events helplessly, I see the entire family grapple with it in a similar sense of exasperation and disbelief. While we ponder over the cause and effects of the situation, what torments us is the free lunch that all and sundry seem to be having, when it comes to drawing absurd inferences and conclusions, scripting conspiracy theories at will. The lie factory is unchecked and is working overtime unabated. While some seem to exhibit ignorance, the other deductive theories seem to be emanating out of sheer sadism with which they want to ruin the happiness and harmony of my family.

This has made me draw enough courage, trudge with a frail spirit, approach you, and put an end to this wildfire that is gutting the image and reputation of YSR’s family. I strongly aver that this does not augur well for my children or for the state.

For all those who have been pointing fingers and putting us in the dock, I use this occasion to pose one question: You were the ones who had always showered immense love and affection on Dr YSR. You have always stayed as an integral part of Dr YSR’s family. For Rajasekhara Reddy, you were no less than family members. He loved you all, as much as he loved us. We are blessed to have you all for, you have displayed immense love and unconditional affection for all, often more than what you had for your dear ones. Nothing can be more heartening to note that after his sudden demise, it was you who stood by my children and embraced them, extended your support and solidarity. I owe the most to you in this regard for the rest of my life and thank you for it.

Now, I plead to you with folded hands, not to indulge in mudslinging and level allegations on my family cruelly, especially on social media. Please do not fall prey to concocted stories and pulp fiction that is only aimed at demeaning the family. If you believe you still love and care for our family, kindly put an end to this drama. Blood is thicker than water. I am sure my children will solve the matter in a fair manner, sooner or later. Meanwhile, it is utterly unbecoming on your part to provoke them and widen the chasm. I believe in Jesus Christ and I am sure he will deliver the most amicable solution for my children.

Recently, YV Subba Reddy, Vijay Sai Reddy and certain others blissfully forgot that they were talking about none other than late Dr YSR. They have lost their ethical senses while they have been denting the image of his family, and openly crushing us with heaps of lies. They have said that the division of properties was done when Dr YSR was alive. Let me set the facts right, this is nothing but untrue. I admit that YSR, when he was alive, had a few properties registered in our son, Jagan’s name and a few in our daughter, Sharmila’s name. But this does not mean that the entire property was divided. What is even more absurd is that these people even read out the list of properties that they claim YSR bequeathed to Sharmila. I wonder why they have not read out a similar list for Jagan. I once again assert that what YSR did was only earmark properties for his children; no division has happened.

Having served as an auditor, it is no surprise that Vijay Sai Reddy knew about this. YV Subba Reddy signed the MoU as witness, being a member of the extended family. Yet, the lies they peddled in the media leave me in pain. Since, I have resolved to put an end to this episode, I make this clear: these are my children. YSR and I loved them more than anything in this world. For a mother, her children will always be equal.  At the same time, I revere the word of YSR as final and his will and aspiration immutable and irrevocable.  It is a truth beyond dispute and debate that all four grandchildren have equal share in assets. This is the directive as well as the mandate of Dr YSR. It is true that it is Jagan’s efforts that saw the properties flourish. It is also true that every asset is a collective possession of the whole family. Jagan, as a responsible son, is mandated to safeguard the family assets. In the last days of Dr YSR’s life, Jagan also made a promise to him – “Apart from you, I stand in the forefront when it comes to taking care of papa (read Sharmila)”.

I reaffirm that Dr YSR had never divided assets between his children while he was alive. The family took care of the assets, with individuals managing them. We were one family and all assets were family assets. When division was imminent, Dr YSR departed suddenly. Vijay Sai Reddy knew all this, but chose to lie about them.

After YSR left us, we continued to stay as one family for ten years, from 2009 to 2019. Jagan took his share of dividends and gave Rs 200 crs to Sharmila, her share of the dividend after taking his share. As per the MoU, Jagan would get 60 percent of the share and Sharmila, the remaining 40 percent. Prior to the signing of the MoU, the dividend used to be equally shared because Sharmila had an equal share according to YSR. I am privy to this, party to this, and a witness to this in the past and present.

In 2019, after becoming Chief Minister, it was Jagan’s proposal to divide the assets. Jagan reason was that “as the children are getting older and will have life partners sooner or later, it may not be same, and the cousins and siblings may prefer to part ways, unlike us. Therefore, I feel it is prudent to divide properties”. Thus came the division between the two on the grounds of properties.

Later, in Vijayawada, in my presence, the division of properties was formalized. It is the same MoU that was signed in 2019, that is in the eye of the storm today. This is the same MoU that Jagan quoted verbally and penned down in his own words. Because it was her right, they paid Rs 200 crore dividend to Sharmila. Because, Sharmila had a rightful share, they prepared this MoU and formalized it. The share of assets that Jagan is mandated to share with Sharmila, rightfully belongs to her, and are not a gift. It is out of responsibility and integrity that Jagan must oblige. As far as those properties that were not attached by the ED, viz, 100 percent of Saraswathi shares mention in the MOU, and 100 percent share of Yelahanka property not mentioned in the MOU, are concerned, Jagan promised in word and in paper that they would be given to Sharmila immediately. While these were never transferred to Sharmila, the double whammy was that the transfer of assets that were not in ED attachment was also not done. Other ED attached properties mentioned in the MOU as Sharmila’s share of Bharati Cements, Sakshi Media and Dr YSR’s home, etc should come to her after the court cases are settled. 
We all lived together as a family till 2019 and Sharmila was never involved in the management or operations of any businesses by jagan. In spite of this, Sharmila followed Jagan’s path and directions, and selflessly worked for him. Her efforts in Jagan’s victory is invaluable and unmatched.

For parents, it is impossible to differentiate between their children on any ground and they always extend equal love and attention to them. However, it is not easy to stay composed and silent, when one sibling is meted out injustice by another. It is the my duty as the parent to stand by the side of justice and truth and rise for the cause of the victim. I had to embark on this painstaking mission, explaining these facts patiently and objectively to you, because the lies peddled by the so-called veterans and well-wishers need to be countered and neutralized. It is my duty to come out clean on facts, for the peace of YSR’s fans and supporters who have been severely traumatized by their lies and insinuating attacks. Notwithstanding these facts, let me make it clear that they are siblings and know very well how to clear these issues and solve their problems.

It is true that if YSR was alive, this unfortunate turn of events would have never found their place in history. The tussle and faceoff on assets, which is unwarranted, would have never put us in this torturous phase. Most importantly, I wouldn’t have been compelled to write this letter. However, I still perceive this to be vital at this juncture, given the ruckus and the murkier levels that things are plunging to. It is only my words that I felt would once and for all put an end to this issue, and if I did not intervene in time, this will continue to assume ugly proportions.

As a mother, I sign off with this earnest appeal to you once again; please do not engage in these distasteful acts of humiliating our family, and please stop engaging in these slanders that only cause indignation and pain to us, and do not do any good to Dr YSR’s family.