YSRCP chief Jagan announces statewide padayatra to strengthen grassroots connection
VIJAYAWADA: Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that he will embark on a statewide padayatra in about 18 months, committing to spend nearly a year and a half among the people.
He announced while addressing party representatives and workers from the Eluru Assembly constituency at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Wednesday.
Jagan said he would also hold weekly meetings with party workers from different constituencies to strengthen grassroots connections. He launched a scathing attack on the coalition government, alleging that all administrative systems had collapsed and that no section of society had benefited under its rule.
“Public resentment is widespread, with households across the state discussing how governance would have been better under my leadership,” he claimed.
He accused the government of misusing police powers, suppressing dissent and failing to deliver on promises.
In contrast, he highlighted his tenure, noting that welfare schemes continued uninterrupted even during the COVID-19 crisis.
Agriculture hit in NDA rule: Jagan
“Government schools have deteriorated,” he alleged, citing the withdrawal of schemes like Nadu-Nedu, lack of tablets for students, poor quality of mid-day meals and a sharp drop in student enrolment, with nine lakh children leaving government schools in recent years.
Jagan further claimed that massive arrears remain unpaid in fee reimbursement, Vasathi Deevena and Aarogyasri health schemes, amounting to thousands of crores.
He accused the government of neglecting education and healthcare, while also pointing to what he described as a scam in the privatisation of ten medical colleges, where the government continues to bear salary and maintenance costs, while private entities reap profits.
“Agriculture has been devastated, with farmers deprived of zero-interest loans, crop insurance and support prices, while law and order has collapsed, leaving citizens insecure,” he alleged.
Despite these challenges, he assured that the YSRCP remains committed to the people and urged party workers to continue fighting for public causes. “We will support Eluru constituency leader Jayaprakash, and I call on everyone to work collectively,” he said.