"After Massive Defeat, Jagan Still Commands Public Attention — Why?"
Why are people attending YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy’s meetings in such large numbers? This has now become a hot topic among the ruling TDP leaders in Andhra Pradesh. Over the past year, even after the defeat, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been facing severe criticism. Even though the ₹1 lakh crore liquor scam case alleged by Chandrababu & Co. has subsided, Jagan & Co. are still under intense pressure due to the liquor scam. It is well known that many individuals close to Jagan have already been arrested in connection with this case. Whether or not this eventually reaches Jagan himself will only be known in the coming days. Even after the recent humiliating defeat in the elections, Jagan Mohan Reddy does not seem to have changed at all — a remark echoed by leaders within his own party. Following developments in a recent debate program aired on Sakshi TV, YSRCP leaders are openly stating that, based on Jagan and Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy’s reactions, it is evident that Jagan will never change. They are being criticized for showing the same attitude even in sensitive matters.
Amidst all this, Jagan Mohan Reddy's recent visits — to Tenali a few days ago and to Podili in Prakasam district on Wednesday to interact with tobacco farmers — saw massive public attendance, which has now become a hot topic in Andhra Pradesh political circles. Jagan’s visit to Tenali in particular created quite a stir. There are still more than three and a half years left for the next election. Some wonder if YSRCP candidates are spending money to bring people to Jagan's meetings, but sources say that’s not the case. Even though YSRCP has dropped to just 11 seats in the recent elections, it is a known fact that the party’s vote bank still stands close to 40%. Similarly, even though TDP was limited to 23 seats in the 2019 elections, its vote share was also around 40% back then. Despite losing a significant number of seats, there hasn’t been much change in the vote banks of either party. Both parties continue to maintain approximately 40% vote share each. After a year of alliance governance in Andhra Pradesh, reports are already emerging that dissatisfaction is growing against some MLAs in various constituencies.
The reason for this appears to be that some MLAs, irrespective of whether they are from YSRCP or TDP, are allegedly engaging in exploitation based on convenience when in power. Meanwhile, people who became accustomed to freebies under Jagan’s rule are now dissatisfied with Chandrababu’s governance. Even though Chandrababu has started implementing his six promises one by one, even TDP leaders admit that it is not easy to draw back Jagan’s hardcore vote bank. Especially, the way TDP chief Chandrababu is handling matters related to Jagan’s five-year rule is not appealing to TDP leaders and cadre. Despite all this and the intense negative campaigning against Jagan, TDP leaders are now seriously questioning: why are people attending Jagan's meetings in such large numbers, wherever he goes? Even if the public doesn’t currently feel strongly about defeating the alliance government, leaders within the party admit that people — particularly certain sections who usually support TDP — are not completely satisfied with recent developments.
Moreover, when in power, party cadre and leaders generally lack fighting spirit. In this term, Chandrababu & Co. have faced strong criticism from their own cadre. Observing all of this, it's evident that if either party — both holding roughly 40% vote share — makes even a small mistake, it could prove costly. In matters of power, no one can guarantee anything to anyone. Those who wish to remain in power for a long time must act accordingly. Otherwise, public anger can quickly lead to a change in power. When Jagan Mohan Reddy first assumed power, he announced that he would rule for 30 years as Chief Minister. But what happened afterward is known to all.
