As the elections to the Andhra Pradesh assembly are fast approaching, YSR Congress party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has begun speeding up the exercise of selection of candidates.
Based on his own survey reports, intelligence inputs and the feedback from the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) teams, Jagan has decided to drop some of the sitting MLAs who have no chances of winning and reshuffle the constituencies of some other MLAs.
In the process, Jagan has been facing a lot of disgruntlements from those who are being denied tickets and those who are being shifted to other constituencies. Some of them are calling it quits to the party and some others are silently protesting.
According to party sources, in the initial stages, Jagan personally called the MLAs and explained to them patiently why he is forced to take the decision of either dropping them or changing their constituencies. He assured them that he would personally take care of their political interests.
“But when he realised that some of the MLAs are putting up strong resistance and speaking in a blackmailing tone, Jagan has decided to talk tough with them. He has changed his requesting tone into a commanding voice. He is now not mincing any words in telling them that they would have to fall in line or they are free to take their own decision,” party sources said.
As Jagan realised that it is impossible for him to meet everybody and convince them about his decisions on overhauling the candidates’ list, he has entrusted the task to his senior colleagues and regional coordinators to talk to the MLAs and convey them the party decision.
“But these regional coordinators have their own interests and have been maintaining good relations with the MLAs. So, they are finding it tough to convince the MLAs who are likely to be dropped. But they have no option but to follow Jagan’s instructions,” sources said.
At present, YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and CMO official Dhanunjay Reddy have been entrusted with the responsibility of talking to the MLAs, who might be axed or shifted from their constituencies and convincing them about Jagan’s decisions.
“At the same time, there are also been demands from the rival groups within the constituencies against the sitting MLAs. They are also flooding the CMO seeking change of candidates. In all probability, the list of contestants will take a final shape by the first week of January,” sources added.