Jagan's Operation Godavari to counter Pawan

[Anta Assamey]

YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is going to Eluru and Rajahmundry on Monday on a two-day tour to activate the party leaders and cadre in erstwhile combined East and West Godavari districts to face the upcoming elections in the state.

The two Godavari districts, which account for 35 out of 175 assembly seats in the state, are very crucial for any political party to capture power.

According to sources, Jagan’s Operation Godavari is essentially to counter the strategies of Jana Sena Party led by power star Pawan Kalyan, who had apparently gained a lot of ground in these two districts during the recent Varahi Yatra.

Intelligence reports also indicated that Pawan’s recent tours have definitely improved the prospects of the Jana Sena Party in East and West Godavari districts, though it is difficult to assess to what extent this impact is all about.

The intelligence reports also reportedly indicated that if there is an alliance between the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party, the impact of the YSRCP would be more and many party leaders in the two districts are already said to be looking to join the two parties.

Added to this, internal wrangling and groupism have been plaguing the YSRCP in several constituencies in the two Godavari districts.

Against this backdrop, Jagan is touring the two districts. He is expected to hold a series of meetings with the party leaders and sort out differences, if any, among the leaders in some constituencies.

He would also present a comprehensive route map for the party in the coming months. He is likely to tour the constituencies in the two districts extensively in the coming months to neutralise the impact of Jana Sena and the TDP, sources added.

“Jagan may even finalise the candidates in some constituencies for the coming elections during his two-day visit to the Godavari districts,” sources said.

[Anta Assamey]