People’s Affection Strengthens My Resolve  

Tummikapalem, Vizianagaram District: My Padayatra reached a historic milestone today when it crossed the 3000 km mark in Desapatrunipalem. It is God’s grace and the unconditional love and affection of people which have powered me and strengthened my conviction throughout my Padayatra.

After passing through 11 districts, Praja Sankalpa Yatra gave me a host of interesting and special experiences and memories. All I am doing is giving expression to popular sentiment and speaking about the ground reality everywhere in the state. All I am doing is establishing the supremacy of the people.

In spite of the many challenges which came my way, I decided that there would be no going back. My fatigue evaporates as I mingle with people, interact with them and walk along with them. There are two more districts left to cover and my Padayatra is nearing its end. However, there is no end in sight to the problems which people have been facing, as their appeals and petitions reveal every day.

The welcome I received in Vizianagaram district was a memorable one indeed. It will stay in my heart forever as a unique experience. From the great Tandra Paparayudu, to Gurajada Appa Rao, this district has produced many stalwarts.

The Padayatra is currently moving through Sringavarapu Kota which has a hoary history. It is believed that the Pandavas spent their time in incognito here. Hence the Mahabharata connection to many of the names of villages here—Sringavarapu Kota, Lakkavarapu Kota, Jaami, Bhimali, Alamanda and Punyagiri. All these names are closely intertwined with events which are a part of the Mahabharata.

S. Kota has a rare temple dedicated to the Pandavas. The first chief minister of Andhra, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu represented this region. Bhimali is known for its Mango jelly ( Tandra). The Bheemsinghi sugar factory here stands as a symbol of Chandrababu’s scheming ways of governance when it comes to the cooperative sector.

Two young men disguised as the legendary writer, Gurajada Appa Rao and Harikatha stalwart, Adibhatla Narayana Das extended a warm welcome to me and gave me Kanyasulkam as a gift. People told me that while the TDP has dominated this region for three decades, no work of any note has been accomplished. It is indeed a tragedy of our times that this district which is a cradle of culture and literature is among the most backward districts in the country. What is worse and more painful is that the local villagers have started migrating to other places over the last four years in search of work.

I will always remember the inauguration of a pylon to mark the 3000 km milestone and the Kothavalasa public meeting in the evening.

My poser to the chief minister—with respect to this district, you had promised to connect the Vedavati and Nagavali, Gosthani and Champavati rivers in your election manifesto. There are 15 other such election promises you had made at that time. Each time you visit this district, you observe in your speeches that the people of this region are simple and gullible. Is it because they get taken for a ride by you all the time?

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