Telangana Welfare On YSRCP Agenda: Jagan In Khammam

Assuring that the YSRCP would implement all the welfare schemes named in its manifesto in Telangana as well, Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has said that his Party will be a force to reckon with as YSR is still being seen as a visionary who balanced welfare and development in this region as well.

Addressing a road-show at Sathupalli (Khammam district) on Sunday as part of his YSR Jana Bheri electioneering, he said, "This is a battle between credibility and honesty on one side and conspiracy and opportunism on the other, and I appeal to you to vote for the YSRCP's fan symbol to bring back the golden era of YSR.

"Very soon I will be taking over as the Chief Minister of Seemandhra, but it does not mean that Telangana will be neglected. YSR is in the hearts of all Telugu people, and I assure you that all welfare schemes named in the manifesto will be implemented in Telangana as well.

"The unfinished Odarpu Yatra will be continued by my sister Sharmila in this region. We come to know about the plight of the people only through such mass contact programmes, and I have learnt the way of life of the poorest of the poor during my Odarpu Yatra, which finds its reflection in the manifesto," he said.

It was important for political leaders to mingle with people to know firsthand their problems and aspirations, and he had spent time with many families, he said, adding that no leader had taken that approach so far.

"We in an age of degenerated politics, and we have to change the system and bring back YSR's golden era. I appeal to you to vote for the YSRCP's fan symbol to make this dream a reality," he said.

"5 years after YSR's death, he is still remembered by the people as his welfare schemes have touched every section of the society. He did not impose any fresh taxes or increase any fares while carrying out the welfare schemes, which made him a model Chief Minister in the country.

"Before his golden era, we have seen the dark age of Chandrababu Naidu who did not care for farmers, students or women, and his policies were anti-people. Pensions and housing were meagre, and were carried out on a quota system, limiting the number of beneficiaries.

"He had done away with all his poll promises by changing the price of rice from Rs. 2 a kg to Rs. 5.25 a kg, lifting prohibition and encouraging belt shops. He has the habit of forgetting poll promises after elections.

"Even now he is coming with promises aplenty. He is promising loan waivers, free cell phones and television sets, but his past says that he does not have the habit of fulfilling the election promises.

"The Congress government after the death of YSR has taxed a lot. It has burdened the people heavily and did not bring in a single new project, and has brought down the values of the political system.

"We have to bring credibility back into the system by rejecting the divisive and the opportunistic, and by electing a responsive and responsible government," he concluded. (INN)