Essential things TDP, YSR Congress need to address

••Cadre is the front-runner in the election battle

••It is high time leadership of both parties realised it

Patibandla Srinivas

([email protected])

Amaravati: March 28: The political heat is mounting high every day when the elections are coming closer after the announcement of the election schedule. Now the debate is on as to which party has good prospects to win the elections. The parties have also focussed on the debates and public mood including cadre moving.  

It is high time the leadership of all political parties realized the fact to answer to the cadre first when they are working as soldiers in the election battle. They should have a responsibility to know the mood of their party activists first before drawing the attention of the public.

The Opposition TDP has a good track record at the grass roots level with four decades of history with the support of a sincere party cadre. The TDP is in a strong position in the election battle because of the efforts of the cadre. Now the time has come to give confidence to the party cadre. When the party cadre is dedicated to TDP victory, the leadership should instil confidence among them about their personal development.

Interestingly the TDP always focused on state development, creation of employment, good infrastructure, good governance and state wealth as its main agenda. The TDP never gives preference to the personal growth of the cadre.

Indeed it is good for society and should be the principle of any political party in the democracy but now the changes have come across the globe and personal aspirations are dominating the mood of the cadre in all aspects. In the present conditions, the TDP cadre needs moral support about their welfare especially nominated posts and personal growth.

They are in a little bit of a disappointed mood at present on various issues including seat allotment particularly in 10 to 15 constituencies. But they have high hopes for TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh who takes responsibility for the welfare of the cadre. His statements against the ruling party have given confidence among them but still, the cadre is to be addressed on their welfare, development, and prospects.  

Apart from this, the TDP leadership should give confidence by inviting at least 50 former MLAs, former ministers, former corporators, and other senior leaders including those who lost their seats in the alliance for one more round of discussions to pacify them instead of neglecting them. The TDP should set up a mechanism for this purpose.  

On the other hand, the YSR Congress is facing trouble in a particular area due to the fact that it has given utmost priority to volunteers and secretariat employees. When the entire Congress party cadre including fans of former Chief Minister late Rajasekhar Reddy is ready to stand behind the YSR Congress party, it has given preference to volunteers. The majority of the party cadre is in a displeased mood since only MLAs are enjoying various benefits during the last five years of tenure. The second rung cadre is being neglected while the no-development, stalling of capital construction, and government policies on sand, liquor, and electricity bills enhancement created displeasure in the cadre.

Moreover, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy used to interact with the cadre very closely when he was the Opposition leader.

The situation has changed totally after becoming the Chief Minister. Several senior leaders also could not meet at least once with him during the last five years. Even though he had given majority of the nominated posts to second-rung leaders without delay after coming to power, majority are not happy due to reasons like personal loss due to no business and employment opportunities in the state. The majority who lost personally and neglected majority of the cadre is in a disappointed mood. Similarly, people who like development and corruption-free governance are not happy after seeing liquor sales and illegal sand mining. However, some sections of people are happy with the welfare schemes of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. It is high time the dispensation answered to the majority of people and cadres who like development and progress.