Taking a hard step to acknowledge the power of public opinion, the Andhra Pradesh coalition government has officially restored the name YSR Kadapa district, repudiate the renaming the last YSRCP government did. The move was made to respect the sentimental and cultural affinity people here have with the name “Kadapa.”
Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had renamed the district as YSR district during his time, removing “Kadapa” from its name. This had evoked universal displeasure, with local populations, cultural bodies, and civil society organs expressing vigorous opposition. A majority considered the renaming politically influenced, suggesting that “Kadapa” has historical and emotional significance for the population.
In spite of public outcry, the YSRCP government never reconsidered the decision. But the new government, headed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has moved quickly to keep a pre-poll promise while he was the Leader of the Opposition. Naidu had promised residents that in case the TDP alliance became the ruling party, the original name — YSR Kadapa — would be retained.
Following through on this promise, Minister Satyakumar personally petitioned the Chief Minister, citing overwhelming requests from the public. The government, responding in the affirmative, has now issued a formal Government Order (GO) reviving the district’s original name: YSR Kadapa.
