Poll push on the cards as Jagan chairs first YSRCP meeting after setback in MLC elections

Also, four of its MLAs cross-voted for the Opposition TDP candidate in Legislative Council polls held under the MLAs quota. The YSRCP subsequently suspended the four MLAs who cross-voted.

TDP leaders claimed at least 16 YSRCP MLAs were in touch with them and wanted to switch sides.

The suspended MLAs said that many legislators are unhappy and feeling suffocated due to the lack of internal democracy in the ruling YSRCP and the autocratic way of functioning of the party’s leadership.

Jagan’s poll programmes

It is against this backdrop that Jagan is coming face to face with the party MLAs.

In such a meeting in February, Jagan cautioned at least 32 MLAs, telling them to improve their participation in the party’s mass outreach programme “Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhuthvam”.

It was seen as a stern warning at that time by Jagan to the MLAs with whom he was not happy over their performance.

Monday’s meeting will be keenly watched to see if the YSRCP supremo softens his stance on the party leaders — especially MLAs.

After “Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhuthvam”, as part of which the YSRCP’s elected representatives have been visiting every household in their respective segments, Jagan in February unveiled yet another outreach programme — “Jagananna Ma Bhavishyathu”.

At an extended party meeting attended by MLAs, ministers, coordinators, regional coordinators, and district unit presidents at the YSRCP camp office in the Guntur district on 13 February, Jagan told them that the cadre — led by the newly-appointed 5.6 lakh-odd Gruha Saradhis and secretariat-level party convenors — should visit 1.65 crore households during the campaign between 18 and 26 March.

They were also expected to spend time with families and explain to them the slew of welfare programmes being implemented by the current state government.

Due to the model code that came into effect due to the MLC polls, “Jagananna Ma Bhavishyathu” could not be held in March. Now, it will be held from 7 to 14 April.

During the weeklong programme, party cadres are expected to explain to the people how the government was providing a transparent administration and taking the state forward with development compared to the TDP rule.

Reshuffle on the cards?

Jagan in December last year laid out an ambitious plan to have an extensive and expansive ground network for the party that would micromanage voters and bring them to the polling booth on the day of the election.

He decided to have a strong party network of 5.2 lakh “Gruha Saradhis” across the 15,000-odd villages in every nook and corner of Andhra Pradesh.

The plan also envisioned 45,000 conveners who would coordinate the party work with them.

For every 50 families in the state, one male and one female party cadre would be in charge. They would be called “Gruha Saradhis”.

They would carry the party’s message, besides providing publicity materials.

There were also reports that Jagan could go for a minor reshuffle of his Cabinet, and might drop hints in this regard during Monday’s meeting.

He may drop at least four-five members from his Cabinet and induct new ministers.