Right leaders in Jagan army for next elections?

[Anta Assamey]

YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has started overhauling of his party to gear up the leaders and cadre for the next assembly elections.

As part of creating a big “Jagan Army” for the elections, he announced district-level executive committees on Thursday night. But surprisingly in several districts, he has chosen leaders who are not enjoying good image among the people and also facing disgruntlement within the party.

Take for example, the responsibility of leading the party in NTR district has been entrusted to former minister Vellampalli Srinivas. This is one of the crucial districts for the YSRCP in the wake of reports that the Telugu Desam Party regained a lot of strength.

But Vellampalli Srinivas doesn’t enjoy a good image among the people because of allegations of corruption. He is also facing stiff opposition from some of the seniors within the party like Samineni Udayabhanu of Jaggayyapet.

Similarly, another former minister Perni Nani has been given the responsibility of Krishna district. In his own Machilipatnam, sources said, his graph has come down considerably and that is why, he is pitching for his son for the assembly seat. Moreover, he has been engaged in a feud with local MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry.

Same is the case with Srikakulam, where the party reins have been given to Dharmana Krishna Das, whose graph has apparently gone down in the last two years. 

Similarly, the responsibility of the party in Eluru district has been given to Alla Nani; Konaseema to Ponnada Satish and West Godavari to Cherukuvada Sriranganath, who do not enjoy much popular support.

Several other leaders like Balanagi Reddy, Janke Venkat Reddy, Bhagya Lakshmi, Boddeta Prasad and Pyla Narasimhiah are also said to be weak candidates who have problems within the party.

“It is surprising how these leaders are capable of leading the party to victory in the coming elections. Maybe, Jagan has a different strategy in choosing them as district executive committee presidents,” a party source said.