Andhra Pradesh is going to witness the most fiercely contested elections this time. While the YSRCP led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is banking heavily on the welfare schemes implemented in the last five years, the main opposition led by Chandra Babu Naidu of the TDP, Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena, and the BJP are pulling all stops to decimate the ruling party with their vociferous election campaign by highlighting the inefficiencies of the government.
In all his speeches, Jagan Mohan Reddy is brushing aside the manifesto of the alliance as a pack of lies and highlighting Naidu’s dubious distinction for not implementing his poll promises during any of his tenures in the past. On the other side, both Naidu and Pawan Kalyan have managed to use the much contentious ‘Land Titling Act’ as a key poll weapon in the run-up to the elections.
While Jagan Mohan Reddy and his cadre failed to dispel the fears about the controversial act, the opposition parties came out successful in launching a massive campaign by creating the impression among the majority of the voters that if implemented, the act would take away the ownership of land from the original holders. Both Naidu and Pawan termed it a ‘Land Grabbing Act’ that allows the government to have complete authority over the lands of the public. Naidu even asserted that he would annul the act immediately after coming to power.
Though Jagan Mohan Reddy and his poll candidates have been trying their best to hit back at the opposition over the negative propaganda on the LTA, it seems like their efforts may end up futile because many of the voters have already made up their minds to vote against the YSRCP.
Many political experts feel that the Land Titling Act is likely to cause irreversible damage to the YSRCP by impacting its winning chances in the upcoming assembly and parliament elections. As both Chandra Babu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan have been putting in a coordinated effort in all their campaigns throughout the state that LTA will be a bane for land owners, it will be a big challenge for Jagan Mohan Reddy’s party to counter the backlash among the public.
Most of the pre-poll surveys are predicting a landslide victory for the NDA alliance, and the Land Titling Act is reportedly said to be a key issue that may see the downfall of the YSRCP in these elections.
With less than ten days to go for polling, it remains to be seen what strategy the YSRCP adopts to reassure the public about its intentions in bringing the act into force. As of now, it is too late for them.