Naidu’s Yatra won’t revive TDP

By Gurava Reddy

An end to end walkathons (Paadayaatra) by their leader have been the last resort for floundering political parties! It happened to Congress Party before 2004 elections, and its most recognized leader, YS Rajasekhara Reddy walked over 1500 miles in scorching heat of summer of 2003 from Chevella to Ichapuram, and straight into the hearts and souls of the masses. There were many reasons for the grand success of YSR’s Praja Prasthaanam, but the key reasons were

1. YSR was not in power for over 25 years, so when he walked against the anti-people policies of the then TDP government, people saw him as an alternative and with better ideas.

2. YSR’s Praja Prasthaanam was not seen by masses as a deliberately orchestrated or disparate for power yaatra.

3. The state was in the middle of a long drought, suicides of farmers mounting, and the state government was casting a blind eye on the sufferings and denying the whole thing as farce. The rulers were only interested in IT, not farming. YSR showed up at the doorsteps of the farmers as someone who did understand the farming and farmers.

4. The traditional dressing of YSR and his patience listening to crowds endeared him to the masses. Less talking and more listening was the theme. 5. YSR’s credibility factor and the scorching heat wave of the summer made his Prasthaanam even more effective. 6. The Prasthaanam’s by-product was that Congress workers started believing in YSR’s leadership of Congress party and his ability to dispose of the reigning TDP government.

Most importantly, the Praja Prasthaanam was simple, regular, and a matter of fact program by a leader to learn peoples’ problems and to devise ways to address them. No movie directors directing, no script writers writing dialogues, no psychologists advising him how to get closer to the masses. Simple and stunning – real leadership of YSR! YSR was a born leader!

Now comes “Vasthunnaa – Mee Kosam” by Chandrababu, with a tagline “Daakkunnaa Vadalanu”, and is like a movie or a drama. 

He stopped showing fingers (V), and started doing namaskaarams for the first time, not fit for the IT revolution’s self proclaimed torch bearer. But, neutral observers knew this was forced on him by himself and the desperate situation he is in. The TDP hardcore cadres surely are enthused, but not the general public.

Chandrababu cannot answer the simple question as to why he is doing padayatra against Congress government’s misrule, when in fact he doesn’t exercise the constitutional right of proposing the “real” no-confidence motion against it and dethrone it! And, he may have his reasons for colluding with Congress government to stop Jagan, but do the people care?

TDP has been losing its vote share from 1994 (44.14%) to 2010-2012 (19.5% Seemandhra and less than 15%, if Telangana is included), compared to 54% voting for YSRCP in the corresponding period of 2010-2012. Most voting blocks (Muslims, Christians, BCs) moved away from the party, for good with Chandrababu’s opportunistic politics and policies. His lack of credibility has been evident with TDP losing deposits in more than 45 Assembly or Parliamentary by-elections to the state from 2009 onwards, and not winning even a single seat!

Chandrababu and his supporters still think they can solve TDP’s miseries with band aids, when even a serious surgery may not salvage their ship! The most fascinating thing is that the yellow media still think that they can influence the masses with their fake stories and coverage to suit their political needs.

Chandrababu, despite several firsts, still have several old habits that he cannot get away. He still needs an AC mega bus that was specially fabricated in Bombay with all the amenities, he still needs his personal chef travelling in another AC bus, cooking special meals and making special juices and snacks. 

Vasthunnaa – Mee Kosam is an elaborate, devised for a politician to act in front of people that he cares about their problems, when in fact he himself was the reason the people are suffering to this day! Movie directors directing, script writers writing dialogues, psychologists advising him how to get closer to the masses.

Chandrababu’s yatra is like a movie or drama! People are wiser now than previous generations, and whatever Chandrababu thinks of them, they have shown it over 45 times already and will show him more and more in future. On the whole, Chandrababu’s Vasthunnaa – Mee Kosam will not improve TDP and its chances!

(Updated on Oct 13,2012)

The writer is based at Atlanta in the USA and can be reached at: reddy.gurava@yahoo.com