The YSR Congress Party President and MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had originally planned to undertake a padayatra from Chanchalguda central jail to his Lotus Pond residence, a stretch of nearly 20 kms, soon after his release on bail on Tuesday.
However, the police advised him against such a move as it would create security problems.
The padayatra was meant to serve as a first symbolic gesture from Jagan in support of the ongoing anti-bifurcation agitation in Seemandhra region to keep the state united. However, the police top brass felt that such course would be a security nightmare and it would be impossible to control the surging crowd of YSRCP activists and well-wishers who had virtually taken the city by storm.
The police officials, drafted for providing security cover for Jagan on his journey from the prison to his residence, prevailed over him and his supporters to drop the idea of padayatra and instead proceed in the convoy of cars.
Jagan was provided a bullet-proof car. The crowd was so unprecedented that it took over five hours for the convoy to reach the destination.
It was a sea of humanity that thronged all along the route to welcome the Kadapa MP who walked out to freedom after spending nearly 16 months in jail.
The crowd went rapturous as Jagan stood on the foot-board of his vehicle and waved at them and shook hands. He had to get down the vehicle at several places and talk to the people.
There were celebrations across the state following the release of Jagan on bail.
In some coastal areas, covering Guntur and Prakasam, the celebrations reached a crescendo with the enthusiastic supporters bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
In Narasaraopet, the crackers were burst for over 12 hours at a stretch without a break.
