For eight years now, the Congress has been ready for some excellent news in Andhra Pradesh. 12 months 2009 was the final time the occasion gained both an MLA or MP election within the state. However the nice crowds drawn by Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which coated a portion of the state over 100 km and three days, the Congress has numerous floor to cowl.
After traversing 4 Meeting constituencies between October 18 and October 21, the Yatra crossed again into Karnataka on Friday. After a brief Diwali break, it is going to transfer into Telangana on October 27.
In 2009, the 33 Lok Sabha seats that the Congress picked up in Andhra Pradesh (of the state’s 42) had proved essential within the UPA’s return to energy on the Centre. However then got here the bifurcation of the state into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in February 2014, simply earlier than the overall elections and state polls, and the backlash in Andhra that adopted has left the Congress struggling since.
For Congress watchers, what’s essential is that the crowds for the Rahul Yatra in Andhra had been courtesy diehard loyalists of the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Whereas YSR was the tallest Andhra chief the Congress had, along with his surprising loss of life in 2009 contributing to the occasion’s slide, his son Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy now leads the ruling occasion within the state, YSRCP.
Former Telangana PCC chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy, the coordinator of the Bharat Jodo Yatra for Andhra and Telangana, stated: “It was a privilege to obtain and stroll with him (Rahul). Hundreds of individuals from throughout Kurnool and close by districts got here and took part. We’re very enthused by the great public response.’’
Rahul acknowledged the occasion’s gratification on the crowds. “In reality among the Congress leaders are shocked on the response and they’re very enthused. I feel there may be scope for the Congress to develop within the state once more,’’ he stated.
Nevertheless, not many are satisfied. The 4 constituencies that Rahul walked by way of had been chosen as they’re very near the Karnataka border and he might cowl them whereas making his approach again to Raichur in Karnataka. In 2014 and 2019, the occasion had misplaced from all these 4 seats. Given the sturdy presence of the YSRCP and the hovering recognition of CM Jagan, any revival is just not simple for the Congress.
In reality, the occasion is seen as having all however given up in Andhra, with actor-turned-politician Ok Pawan Kalyan these days taking over no matter little political house that was accessible after the YSRCP and TDP, the principle Opposition occasion.
The opposite widespread thread in Rahul’s interactions was the peace of mind that every one the guarantees made by the UPA authorities on the time of the bifurcation could be fulfilled, and his opposition to the Jagan authorities’s plans for 3 capitals within the state. He stated the Congress is conscious of the commitments it made in 2014 to the folks of Andhra. “These weren’t assurances made by one individual or one occasion, however by Parliament. We’re decided to make sure that these commitments are met, totally and speedily. Each the Central and state governments have failed on this regard,’’ he stated.
Talking to farmers who had given up land for Amaravati, the only, grand capital that was earlier deliberate, Rahul stated a few of them had been nonetheless ready for ample compensation. “I stand by the farmers of Amaravati and can battle for them.”
With the central theme of the Yatra being concord and peace, slightly than the “hate” unfold by the BJP as per the occasion, Rahul visited the Raghavendra Swami Mutt at Mantralayam, and interacted with representatives of civil society organisations.