Vijayawada, September 15: While his opponents are busy finding ways to downsize him in State politics, Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy appears busy building his base at the grass-root level. Following the footsteps of his father and former Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan Mohan Reddy is trying to emerge as the leader of the masses.
While the Congress and TDP are making statements before the media, Jagan is touring the coastal areas addressing the masses seeking their support for his newly launched party. Despite the cases filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in disproportionate assets and Emaar Properties, Jagan has continued the Odarpu Yatra, with more vigour. On Wednesday, Jagan;’s Odarpu Yatra entered the 22nd day in Krishna district.
On Wednesday Jagan began his yatra by unveiling the statute of YSR in Perikedu village at famous Hanuman Junction. After paying tributes to his late father, he proceeded to Janardhanapuram where he unveiled another statue. He met several families whose kin committed suicide after the sudden demise of Rajesekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash two years ago. At Anamanapudi, he unveiled another statue. He also addressed a series of corner meetings on his way to Gudivada.
Political analysts say that Jagan’s startegy is bound to bear results. If he continues his yatra for the next few weeks, then every alternate street will have a YSR statue and it would certainly outnumber the statues of other personalities including Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi or even NTR. The analysts believe that through Odarpu Yatras, Jagan was not aiming at consoling the families, but build a strong cadre at mandal level.
YSR adopted a similar strategy before the 2004 polls. While the ruling Telugu Desam Party leaders were confidently ruling from the State capital, he started state-wide Padyatra strengthening his base in the rural masses. This helped him and the Congress party gain power in 2004 general elections.
Similarly, while Congress and TDP leaders are still confined to holding media conferences, Jagan is directly addressing the masses. The recent cases have come as bless in disguise for Jagan to establish before the people that he was being targeting by the Congress party after his father’s death. Analysts believe that if the Speaker accepts the resignations submitted by 26 pro-Jagan MLAs and by-polls are held in the next six months, then Jagan is bound to win a majority of seats. Even if he fails to repeat the results of Kadapa or Pulivendula, winning even one seat will be viewed as Jagan’s victory.
——–Agencies