How Jagan has changed political dynamics in AP
Agriculture, education, medicare besides social welfare, empowerment of weaker sections and women socially, politically, and economically has been the signature tune of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government
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Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has emerged as a welfare signature to the State and became the new idiom of Andhra Pradesh polity with his sharpness in decision making, precision in work style, eye for detail, and commitment to usher in a welfare state which earned him a place of pride of being among the best heads of State in the country.
Pitch-forked into active politics by a quirk of fate with the tragedy that Andhra Pradesh could not digest and still feels that the helicopter carrying Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy should not have crashed, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at that time, being one of the 42 MPs was hardly noticed by Delhi which never expected that he would ride like a colossus to dwarf the stalwarts and one day will change the grammar of governance.
For Jagan, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Monday, the political ride was not a smooth sail but he had to weather many a storm, handle difficult and complex situations.
The family and loyalists stood by him in tough times to tide over the crisis. His mother YS Vijayamma took the young YSRCP in her arms as honorary President, while his better half YS Bharathi deftly handled business houses. As a close-knit family, they could overcome the crisis with YS Sharmila completing the unfinished mass contact programme.
Undeterred by the onslaught of the sly TDP leadership and his coterie, Jagan continued to highlight the failures of the State and was constantly with the people fighting for their cause.
The 2019 battle was won even before it was fought with the confident Jagan moving to Tadepalli well in advance and carrying out the campaign with his, by now familiar, style and shown to the people a simple two-page manifesto that covers welfare of all sections.
Jagan must be among the very few founder leaders of a political party to become Chief Minister at a young age and created a record of sorts winning 151 of 175 seats in Assembly and 22 of the 25 Parliament seats in spite of the hostile media and conspiratorial adversaries.
The tirade against him by adversaries continues even 18 months after assuming office and they explored and took recourse in other options after being routed in the parliamentary system.
Jagan has shown determination, stubbornness, and his hallmark commitment in carrying out the governance with transparency and has been rolling welfare schemes, more than what was promised in the manifesto and winning hearts of the people even during the testing times of Covid-19.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has been effectively used by the young Chief Minster to bring in transparency and shunt out middlemen.
Agriculture, education, medicare besides social welfare, empowerment of weaker sections and women socially, politically, and economically has been the signature tune of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
Jagan gets involved in the implementation of the schemes so deeply that he discusses the minutest detail and monitors with a sharp eye.
He must be the first leader in the country to incentivise mothers for sending her children to school under Amma Vodi where she gets Rs 15,000 annually. The fees reimbursement and hostel and mess charges are also credited to the mothers' bank account.
His vision of Nadu Nedu in schools and hospitals will have a long-term impact and he breathed life into Aarogyasri by bringing quality medicare within the reach of common people. He has handled the Covid 19 pandemic efficiently and effectively.
His initiative of YSR Cheyutha and YSR Aasara to empower women (45-60 years) belonging to the weaker sections and minorities through entrepreneurship in dairy, grocery, and other chosen fields has the supportof giant companies like Amul, Proctor and Gamble, ITC, Allana Group, Reliance among others, is a reflection of his commitment to uplift the poor economically and socially. He has provided 50 percent reservation for women and weaker sections in nominated posts and nominated works, a testimony for political empowerment.
With a promising future and the backing of a large chunk of population, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is taking the State forward. He will be adding one more year to his age, but his vision is much far and ahead of other States. Like father, like son, goes the adage and he is all set to travel the extra mile for creating a welfare state.
