Tadepalli, Feb 24: Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy held a crucial meeting with party MLAs and MLCs, emphasizing the need for a resolute fight against the government amid growing public discontent. He urged party members to treat their current position as a battlefield, stressing that every step must be directed toward victory.
Highlighting the importance of uncompromising action on public issues, he called for honest and sincere efforts to champion the people’s cause.
“Victory is assured if we stand with the people and remain among them,” he said, cautioning against any retreat in the struggle for public welfare. He dismissed the need to fear the current government, assuring unwavering support to every member and framing this as an opportunity to prove the party’s strength as the opposition.
Y.S. Jagan emphasized that relentless work for the party and the public would pave the way for a bright future. Noting the rapid passage of time,
“A year passes like a blink of an eye”, he pointed to rumors of simultaneous elections, which could bring polls even earlier. This, he argued, underscores the need for zero compromise on public issues and fearless advocacy on behalf of the people. “Our adherence to values and credibility in politics has helped us overcome numerous challenges and travel this far,” he stated.
He asserted that the party is the sole opposition voice in the Assembly, accusing the ruling party of mocking democracy by denying official opposition status, which would mandate equal time for debate.
“By refusing us this status, they avoid giving us the rightful platform,” he said, explaining the party’s decision to attend the Assembly to expose this stance to the public.
Y.S. Jagan clarified that his statements are grounded in evidence and free from accusations or slander. With limited opportunities to speak in the Assembly, he relies on pressmeet to inform the public, while urging the party to leverage its strong majority in the Legislative Council.
MLAs and MLCs brought to his attention the unjust cancellation of housing titles, to which he responded, “During our tenure, we provided 31 lakh housing titles without bias or favoritism. If someone fails to build a house, the government should sanction one for them, not cancel titles out of spite against the poor.” He vowed to approach the courts if such cancellations persist.
The MLAs and MLCs also raised concerns about the renaming of colonies. Y.S. Jagan countered, “The people know who provided housing sites and established colonies.” Citing the Ambedkar Smriti Vanam built by his government in Vijayawada, he condemned the ruling administration for attempting to erase its legacy, including an attack on Ambedkar’s statue orchestrated by officials under government orders. “Do the people not know who built the Smriti Vanam?” he questioned, reaffirming the party’s commitment to protecting its contributions and fighting for justice.
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