YS Jagan Padayatra: Historic Footprints On The Sands Of Time

Y Satyanarayana

Each day is a testament to his grit and single-mindedness of purpose. Every single step of Praja Sankalpa Yatra is a milestone on this mission, a moment in history. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly, stands on the historic cusp of completing 200 days amidst the people of Andhra Pradesh. The YSRCP chief is a leader driven by a sense of purpose, striding ahead in rain and shine, unfazed by scorching summer heat. A leader who has his finger on the pulse of the people. A leader whose heart beats for the common man, much like that of his father, the late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

People along the Padayatra, line streets and highways, crane their necks from balconies and rooftops in sizzling heat, along every step of the way. They throng his rallies, interactive sessions and public meetings. YS Jagan, for them, is a harbinger of change, a leader who not only has a deep insight into their lives, but offers viable solutions to the problems they are plagued with. They trust him because he is a man true to his word. YS Jagan, they have seen for themselves, is a leader committed to value-based politics and his journey in public life so far, bears testimony to this fact.

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In taking up his mass outreach programme, Praja Sankalpa Yatra, YS Jagan is treading in the illustrious footsteps of his father. Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy who scripted history with his celebrated walkathon, Praja Prasthanam in 2003. It is worth recalling that the Congress party rode the wave of Dr. YSR's successful Padayatra and stormed to power in 2004. His daughter and YS Jagan's sister, Sharmila, had also taken up a Padayatra, Maro Prasthanam, ten years after her father's famous march across the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh, evoking tremendous response. Five years after his sister's marathon walk across the state, the YSRCP chief decided to reach out to the people of the state to study on a first-hand basis how they were faring under TDP's rule. It was with this intention that he set out to interact with them in villages and towns across the state of AP.

It was on November 6, 2017, that YS Jagan took up his historic mass contact initiative, Praja Sankalpa Yatra from Idupulapaya in Dr. YSR district. The YSRCP chief first paid homage to his departed father, the late Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, at his memorial before commencing his walkathon through the state of AP. Coursing through the state, the Padayatra is scheduled to culminate at Ichhapuram in Srikakulam district, the place which holds special significance for him in view of the fact that both his father and sister concluded their respective walkathons here.

So far the Padayatra has coursed through Dr. YSR Kadapa District, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari district and is currently moving through East Godavari district. In all his public meetings in villages and towns on his Padayatra, the YSRCP chief has been highlighting the pervasive corruption with which the TDP government has now become synonymous, substantiating his speeches with statistical data and hard-hitting facts. The swelling tide of humanity roars with approval each time YS Jagan turns the spotlight on the TDP's corruption and misrule.While the response to YS Jagan's Padayatra has been spontaneous and overwhelming in every lane, street, alley and village of every single constituency, he has been received with tremendous love and affection in the twin Godavari districts.The sight of YS Jagan entering East Godavari district across the iconic bridge was a spectacle to behold.

Thousands of followers, leaders and party workers accompanied him on the longest rail-cum-road bridge in the country, even as 600 boats plied across the mighty Godavari, flags aflutter, to greet him. It was truly an unprecedented welcome. Old-timers recollected that they had not seen anything like this in living memory. It was indeed a spontaneous outpouring of public emotion as they greeted YS Jagan with flowers and cheered him along every step.

In YS Jagan, people see an image of his father, a reflection of a man committed to serve the suffering poor. A leader who believes that empowering youth with education and providing universal healthcare are among the cornerstones of good governance. People know that deliverance from the TDP is not too far away and that YS Jagan will usher in Rajanna Rajyam, which will guarantee good all-round, value-based governance.