Jagan announces 2027 padayatra, asks YSRCP cadre to prep for local polls

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced plans to undertake a padayatra in September or October next year. The former Chief Minister made the announcement while addressing party leaders, elected representatives, and key functionaries from the Parchur Assembly constituency at the party's central office.

During the meeting, Mr. Reddy called upon party workers to prepare for the upcoming local body elections. He expressed apprehension over the conduct of these polls under the TDP-led government, particularly citing the proposed 34% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). He claimed the measure could face legal hurdles and alleged that the government was creating circumstances that might delay the elections.

The YSRCP chief also raised concerns about the ongoing revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the deletion of voters was taking place. He said such developments cast doubt on how the local elections would be conducted. Mr. Reddy further alleged that the ruling establishment was relying on police pressure, criminal cases, inducements, and administrative measures to weaken political opponents. The ruling TDP has rejected these allegations.

Urging the cadre to contest the elections with determination, Mr. Reddy described the local body polls as a test of the party's grassroots organisation. He said the YSRCP should extend support to workers contesting for sarpanch, MPTC, and ward member posts.

Reflecting on his government's tenure, Mr. Reddy claimed that 99% of the promises made in the YSRCP manifesto were implemented. He cited initiatives such as village secretariats, the volunteer system, Nadu-Nedu, Aarogyasri, medical colleges, and Rythu Bharosa Kendras as key achievements. He alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had made more welfare promises during the 2024 elections but had not fulfilled them to the same extent.

Drawing on the 2017 Nandyal by-election and the 2019 Assembly elections, Mr. Reddy maintained that political pressure and the alleged use of official machinery could not suppress grassroots support for a party. He called on YSRCP workers to treat the local body elections as an opportunity to demonstrate their organisational strength.