Redefining political governance, welfare 'Jagan'naut rolls on in AP

AMARAVATI : Changing the grammar of polity by striking the right chord of syntax, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy rode into Andhra Pradesh's history like a "Knight in shining armour" to redefine welfare and maximise the use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) while hoisting the mast of development.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who celebrates his birthday on December 21, had carved a niche for himself on the political canvas, from being a green horn as a debutant Parliamentarian to steering the Party he founded to a stupendous victory in 2019.

It was not a smooth ride, but his tenacity showed the way, defying the "powers that be" and taking the less travelled path to keep his promises, which led to the formation of the YSR Congress Party. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy grabbed the bull by the horns and marched ahead in his inimitable style, eventually defeating the Goliath.

Blessed with a close-knit family, his wife YS Bharathi Reddy expertly handling business affairs, and two daughters attending world-class universities, he played a pivotal role in the State's political affairs.

With a landslide victory in the 2019 elections, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had already fulfilled 95 percent of the poll promises, living up to expectations of a thumping mandate of 151 out of 175 seats. The mandate, like the governance, was unprecedented.

The promises were compiled from numerous complaints and plights expressed by the public during his 3648 km padayatra and meetings with a diverse group of people. The Padayatra was a movement, and he emerged as a towering leader when it culminated in hope for the beleaguered people. No surprise, he won the 2019 battle before it even began.

The show of brilliance of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy came to the fore by taking governance to micro level in the form of village/ward secretariats and the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has redefined welfare with every last rupee reaching the intended beneficiary.

The Chief Minister's vision had resulted in an impeccable welfare delivery system and a significant change in the rural landscape, while social engineering has brought a whiff of development into the lives of marginalised groups.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy made an indelible mark by opening a new chapter in public policy and administration, bringing accountability and transparency into governance by decentralising development from capitals to doubling the number of districts to 26 in addition to village secretariats and volunteers being the tangible face of governance.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's focus areas were education, medical, and agriculture sectors, as well as rapid industrialisation, with English Medium, CBSE, refurbishing schools, distribution of tabs and TV sets in schools, and nutritious menu under Jagananna Goru muddha dusting away years of indifference.

More procedures were added to YSR Aarogyasri to improve the efficacy of the healthcare system, and new medical colleges and super specialty hospitals are being built throughout the state.

Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), his brainchild, won international recognition for everything from the mode of operation to the concept of providing a platform from seed to sale to the farming community.

Apart from YSR Cheyutha, Vidya Kanuka, 30 lakh houses for the poor, comprehensive land resurvey, and numerous other initiatives, Amma Vodi had also received widespread appreciation.

On the development front, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had prioritised the power sector by encouraging green energy, as well as industries ranging from information technology to manufacturing, food processing, exports, and port development, among others.

The Chief Minister frequently attends weddings of close friends and family members as well as religious gatherings. He honoured athletes of all levels, from Olympians to players at the national level, and adopted the ideal stance at the wicket to play a few on drives.

The birthday boy had won many hearts in his short political career, and the icing on the cake comes from the people who had renewed their faith in his leadership in every election since 2019.