Praja Sankalpa Yatra Diary, Day 47: Is It Not True That You Back Offenders And Criminals, Mr Chandrababu? 

I began my padayatra this Saturday morning from Vasanthapuram in Uppulurivandlapalle. Several women welcomed me offering traditional haarathi. From among them, an old woman who could barely walk, stepped forward towards me. I asked her what her name was and she replied Qasim Bi. She must have been over 85 years of age. And she had come all the way walking with great difficulty only to meet me. This gesture of hers touched me deeply. She said that she had been waiting to see me for over three hours. What was most touching was that this old woman, Qasim Bi, had a plate in her hand with a coconut and a banana in it. She insisted that I have what she brought. This struck a deep emotional chord in me. I asked her as to what she wanted and she replied that she didn't seek anything, but that she only came to see me. This display of affection was overwhelming.

I walked for some distance to G Kothapalli where I came across a lady called Sumangali. She had a promissory note in her hand which she showed me. When I asked her what it was, she replied that she got her son admitted in the seventh standard in Kesava Reddy School and at that time the school authorities took Rs 2.75 lakh from her as a deposit. They had assured her that this deposit was refundable and it would be returned to her once her son completed his education. With great difficulty and borrowing money from people they managed to put together this huge amount to get their son admitted in the school. Now the school refuses to return this money saying that their educational institutions had passed into the hands of Sri Chaitanya group.

She lamented that they had to borrow heavily to get their son admitted in a junior college in Nellore. They did so believing that their deposit would be refunded to them. However, that was not to be. And they feel completely helpless about their situation. She said that her husband had attempted suicide out of sheer desperation and in a state of abject powerlessness. I was very much moved by her plight and by this
callous, cruel attitude of the government.

A boy named Mahender Reddy met me in the village Gopidinne. He told me that his father got electrocuted when he stepped into his field last August, and died as a result. This was purely because of the negligence on the part of the electricity department. They were promised ex-gratia and also a job on compassionate grounds. However, these remained empty assurances which were not fulfilled. The young boy decided to file a police complaint and fight it out legally. Now there is a lot of pressure on him to withdraw the case saying that he would be given a compensation of Rs 2 lakh. The boy told me that his father was covered under Chandranna Bheema Pathakam (Insurance Scheme) but it was of no use. He narrated his tale of woe with moist eyes and said that it was only on account of abject negligence on the part of the electricity department that the sole wage earner of their family died in this tragic manner. Is this how the government and electricity department ought to respond? How can they be so insensitive? What happened to Chandranna Insurance Scheme or Bheema Pathakam?

Anasuyamma met me at Borreddyvarikota. She said "sir, thanks to your father, late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, my father underwent a heart operation". Anasuyamma also told
me that during my father's time they were given a house. She said thanks to him and to all the positive measures he initiated, the people at large benefited from his welfare schemes.

"We also benefitted from the fee reimbursement scheme and three of my daughters got educated. One did her MBA while another did her MCA, and yet another daughter could complete her B.Tech, ”Anasuyamma said. She added that for her my father Dr Rajasekhara Reddy was like God-incarnate. I felt overwhelmed by what she told me. What more does one want than finding a lasting place in the hearts of people through one's achievements and accomplishments and through one's good deeds..

Today, on my walkathon, important leaders of the YSRCP like MP Vijaya Sai Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy also walked alongside me carrying the party flag as ordinary party workers do. When I asked them why they were walking in this manner they said that others would be inspired when leaders walk in this fashion. I felt very happy upon hearing their inspiring words filled enthusiasm.

In conclusion, I have a question for the chief minister--whether it is Agri
Gold or Kesava Reddy schools, in all these major scandals is it not true that you have been backing the offenders and defaulters? You buy properties through your proxies in one case and in another, to protect the offenders you induct their close relatives into the cabinet. How can one expect justice in a such situation?

Along every step of the way, I came across families, who have derived tremendous benefits from the welfare schemes put in place by my late father. At the same time in stark contrast, every day I come across thousands who have been suffering at the hands of your government and administration. Don't you think this calls for introspection Mr. Chandrababu Naidu?