Summer is a cheerful time for students as educational institutions declare summer holidays. But for political activists they need to be alerted throughout the year. But former chief minister and YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who was known for his frequent vacation trips even while in power, seems to have declared summer vacations for party activities also.
For the last few months hardly any party activities are seen. Even he himself is seen involved in party activities. He had announced long back to extensively tour in the district to boost up morale of the party cadre and given several dates. But the tour is yet to begin.
For the last few months, he is spending more time in Yelahanka Palace in Bengaluru, keeping away from the reach of party leaders. He makes it a point to leave for Bengaluru every Thursday with his wife and spend the week-end there and return to Tadepalli Palace on Monday night or Tuesday morning.
That is, they are staying in Tadepalli for only two days in a week. Jagan is not taking up any special programs on behalf of the party during these two days of stay. He has put the responsibility of the farmers’ protest, the electricity tariff protest, and the youth (fee) protest against the government on the remaining key leaders in the party.
None of the key leaders who were active in the coterie when he was the Chief Minister are participating in these protests. Moreover, there is no public response to them. However, the AIPAC team showed morphed photos and videos as if there was a large-scale movement.
Instances of YSRCP local leaders arguing with college managements to send students to participate in the youth movement have come to light. Instead of students, people over 45 years of age were brought and made to stand in youth protests.
Local party leaders are not seen showing much enthusiasm to mobilize people for such protests. As such protests are hardly seen of any impact, Jaganmohan Reddy has reportedly decided not to hold protests or party meetings until the intensity of the summer subsides.
Jagan said in a meeting of key leaders in December that he would visit the districts after Sankranti and conduct two-day reviews in the assembly constituencies of each Lok Sabha constituency. After that, he said he will stay in each Lok Sabha seat for three days and take key decisions on strengthening the party organizationally in each assembly constituency. But even as Ugadi approaches, that momentum is not picking up.