Fact Check: No, YSR Congress Did Not Request to Change Party Symbol from Fan to Axe
Former Andhra Pradesh minister and senior YSRCP leader Perni Venkataramaiah, popularly known as Perni Nani, is facing
Party symbol change
Former Andhra Pradesh minister and senior YSRCP leader Perni Venkataramaiah, popularly known as Perni Nani, is facing mounting legal heat after his controversial remarks targeting the judiciary and state officials went viral online. In a video that surfaced recently on social media, Perni Nani was seen making a comment that roughly translates to “rappa rappa" — a slang expression in Telugu often interpreted as mocking or dismissive. The phrase was reportedly aimed at judicial decisions and enforcement agencies that the YSRCP alleges have been biased against its members since the change of power in the state. While supporters have defended the remark as a metaphorical reference to political retaliation, many viewed it as an attack on the integrity of the judiciary and law enforcement.
Following the controversial statement, several police complaints and legal notices have been filed across Andhra Pradesh, including in Vijayawada, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam. Critics, particularly from the ruling TDP and civil society, have accused Perni Nani of making provocative and contemptuous remarks that undermine the democratic institutions of the country. Lawyers and advocates have especially taken exception to the comment, demanding strict legal action. Some legal experts argue that his words could amount to contempt of court or incitement, depending on the context and intent.
Meanwhile, an image showing a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of India is going viral on social media, especially in Telugu-speaking states, with the claim that the founder of the YSR Congress Party is requesting the Election Commission to change the party symbol from ‘Fan’ to ‘Axe’.
Here is the letter:
13-07-2025
Hyderabad
To
The Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001, India
Subject: Request for Change of Party Symbol - YSR Congress Party
Respected Sir,
I, Shivakumar, the founder of the YSR Congress Party, hereby submit this letter to request an official change in the party symbol of our registered political party, YSR Congress Party.
At present, the symbol allotted to our party is the "Fan." After careful consideration and internal consultations, I have unanimously decided to request a change of our party symbol to the "Axe."
This decision has been made in the best interest of the party's future direction, identity, and political strategy.
We kindly request the Election Commission of India to consider this change and allot the "Axe" as our new party symbol at the earliest possible convenience, in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Please find enclosed all necessary supporting documents, affidavits, and resolutions from the party's executive committee in support of this request.
We look forward to your positive consideration and are ready to comply with any further formalities required by the Commission in this regard.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Shivakumar
Founder, YSR Congress Party
Many users shared the letter with captions in Telugu like “మాకు గొడ్డలి గుర్తు కావాలి. ఎలక్షన్ కమిషన్ కు లేఖ రాసిన వైసిపి ఫౌండర్ శివకుమార్. రప్ప రప్పా”
Here is the archive link of the claim:
Fact Check:
The claim is False. The letter is not authentic.
When we checked the letter closely, we found several discrepancies. The letter is written by someone named Shivakumar and not by Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. Firstly, it is not printed on the party’s official letterhead and does not carry the signature of the party founder. Secondly, in the letter’s second paragraph, the sentence reads: “After careful consideration and internal consultations, I have unanimously decided to request…” This is grammatically incorrect and inconsistent — the use of “I” and “unanimously” together makes no sense. It should have been “We have unanimously decided…” The email ID mentioned — ysrcpfoundershiva2012@gmail.com — is not listed on any of the official party websites.
According to news reports, no official YSRCP leader has responded to this letter. Some activists claim that TDP supporters are behind this fake letter and are circulating it on social media. Allegedly, Jaganmohan Reddy has responded strongly and demanded action against those responsible.
Official X handle named Janganna Connects shared a post stating that the viral letter is Fake.
Hence, the viral post shares a hoax letter in the name of the YSR Congress Party. The claim that the YSR Congress Party requested the Election Commission of India to change their party symbol from Fan to Axe is False.
Claim : YSRC party is requesting the Election Commission for a change of party symbol from Fan to Axe
Claimed By : Twitter users
Fact Check : Unknown