YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy asks cadre to gear up for local body elections

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday directed party leaders and cadre to begin preparations for the forthcoming local body elections, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious if the polls were conducted in a free and fair manner.

Addressing a meeting of key leaders at the party's central office in Tadepalli, Mr. Jagan instructed them to identify strong candidates without delay and ensure that the YSRCP fields nominees for every local body seat. He warned that leaders would be held accountable if the party failed to field candidates in their respective areas.

He noted that the party had strengthened its grassroots organisation during its nearly 30 months in Opposition and had, for the first time, constituted committees down to the village level.

Mr. Jagan alleged that public dissatisfaction with the TDP-led coalition government was increasing. He said the YSRCP would campaign by comparing the performance of its five-year government with that of the present administration. He also expressed concern over voter lists and reservations for Backward Classes, but asked leaders to prepare on the assumption that the elections would be held.

As part of the election strategy, he asked every Assembly constituency to set up legal and media cells and strengthen its social media presence. The party would undertake a door-to-door campaign highlighting its welfare programmes and reforms and what it described as the failures of the coalition government.

The campaign would focus on five themes, including mobilisation of cadre, distribution of identity cards, and extensive grassroots outreach. The party plans to distribute about 15 lakh identity cards and campaign material, including a booklet titled Vennupotu Party, Vennupotu Palana.

District-level meetings are scheduled from September 5 to 7, followed by Assembly constituency meetings from September 8 to 11, and mandal- and ward-level meetings from September 12 to 22. The door-to-door campaign is set to begin on September 23.

Mr. Jagan asked leaders to remain focused on their constituencies for the next 60 to 70 days and strengthen the organisation at every level.