HYDERABAD: YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s name stirs memories of Praja Prasthanam, the padayatra undertaken by him in 2003, a year ahead of the elections to the State Assembly. The yatra had infused a new lease of life in the State Congress and confirmed Reddy as peoples’ leader.
As an Opposition leader Reddy started his padayatra on the April 9, 2003 at Chevella in Ranga Reddy district. It ended at Itchapuram in Srikakulam district on June 16, covering a distance of 1,500 km in 11 districts. When Reddy started his yatra, it was hot summer. But he did not flinch and successfully completed it. That yatra led the Congress to power and YSR to the seat of chief minister soon after.
The dospondency of staying out of power gave way to jubilation in the party after the elections in 2004. Prior to that there was little hope in State Congress leaders that the party would regain power in the State. The reason for their diffidence was that it was in power only for five years ever since the Telugu Desam was founded in 1982.
But, Rajasekhara Reddy reversed the trend in 2003 with his Praja Prasthanam.
Everyone thought that undertaking and completing such a long padayatra was impossible.
But, Reddy, with his commitment, achieved the impossible.
During his yatra Reddy struck a chord with every one _ peasants badly affected by recurring drought, sheep-rearers, artisans and weaker sections.
After the `empathy tour’ Rajasekhara Reddy had emerged as an impeccable and undisputed leader of the masses, who had real concern for the people. The innumerable petitions submitted by the people, in fact, became a data bank for him to implement the `peoples agenda’.
In the midst of his 64-day padayatra Rajasekhara Reddy fell ill in East Godavari district. As the mercury level rose to 44 degrees Celsius, he suffered sunstroke and his legs did not cooperate further, forcing him to take rest for some days. With indomitable spirit and courage, and with renewed vigour, he resumed his yatra and completed it. His yatra was a glorious chapter in the political history of Andhra Pradesh.