YS Jagan – Kadapa By-elections

The results of Kadapa by-elections on May 13 are going to show the ruling Congress party and its allies like TCP (Telugu Congress Party), and the yellow media a gigantic mass leader by the name of YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

YS Jagan, after the death of YSR, was forced in to limelight, and in to the top leadership without any experience or knowledge of the present day politics, politicians, expectations of the masses and intellectuals. He was forced out Congress party by Sonia Gandhi on the advices of some useless and inept senior leaders that could neither win on their own or could get someone else to win with their helping hands.

How would YS Jagan react to this crucial challenge that would determine his survival and uphold his great father’s image? Most of us were nervous. There were a lot of skeptics. But, he was admirably commendable and showed so much character, intelligence, guts, grit, determination, and a great strength of personality that was rarely seen in recent times in Indian politics.

These by-elections would prove YSR Congress party as the choice of masses, and stepping stones for comfortably winning next general elections whenever they come.

The official poll numbers from EC are 77.48% (10.3 lacs polled votes) for Kadapa MP and 82.64% (1.56 lacs polled votes) for Pulivendula Assembly.

Several surveys estimate 70% (7.21 lacs) votes for Jagan, 18% (1.85 lacs – MAY narrowly win deposit on his strength in Kamalapuram) for Mysoora Reddy, and 10% for DLR (one lac – WILL lose deposit. It would have been nicer if every Congress MLA and Minister would have gotten a thousand votes for DLR), there by Jagan crossing 5 lacs majority.

It’ may be tough for Jagan to match and cross the India’s record majority of 5.92 lacs of Anil Basu of West Bengal, but it’s not out of possibility though. 65% (1.02 lacs) for Vijayamma and 25% for Viveka (40k – WILL win deposit), there by Vijayamma winning by over 60k. It has been a tough road for Jagan since YSR death and there will be more troubled times ahead. But, these Kadapa results will work as a tonic for YRS Congress party and Jagan.

This will push him to work harder to achieve similar results across the state.

Chandra Babu made TDP impotent by his jealous and ambiguous leadership. Sonia Gandhi and her Congress party just dug their own grave by reverting from their earlier winning formula of choosing the most popular leaders to be the Chief Ministers of various states.

How can any one explain the choosing of Rosayya and Kiran Kumar Reddy as Chief Ministers of a crucial state like Andhra Pradesh? They can’t even win their own assembly seats?

YS Jagan must focus on the fast approaching mid-term elections. With the mind numbing majority Jagan is going to get in Kadapa parliamentary seat, the mid-term elections will be necessitated as the results will assure the fence sitting MLAs that the future is with Jagan and YSR Congress party.

Jagan must continue to be firm, compassionate and keep on showing the great leadership skills that he had shown for the past 18 months. He and YSR Congress must be ready for more onslaughts from Sonia Gandhi, Congress party, Chandrababu and TCP in the coming months.

The soul of YSR would not want Jagan to fail. And, Jagan’s successes would put our God – YSR even higher than where he is now – in the sky!

Gurava Reddy, for YSR Congress Party, Atlanta, GA