YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday turned emotional as he addressed the cadre on the occasion of the party’s 15th foundation day and sought to infuse new confidence in them saying good days are ahead for the party.
Jagan, who unfurled the party flag at the party headquarters at Tadepalli, said the YSRCP reshaped the political course of Telugu politics on the pillars of values and credibility and described the YSRCP’s journey as a collective struggle built on sacrifice and determination.
In an emotionally charged address, Jagan sought to instil confidence among party leaders and grassroots workers.
He recalled the moment at Nallakaluva, where he had made a commitment to the people during the difficult phase following his father’s demise.
“That single promise has not only changed the course of my family’s life but also altered the political history of the state,” Jagan said.
The YSRCP chief reminded party workers of the challenges faced during the party’s formative years. He said that when the party was founded, both the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party allegedly created obstacles and political pressures, even leading to his imprisonment.
“Despite these setbacks, I never backed down from the struggle. I was almost alone politically, but I drew strength from two sources: faith in God and the unwavering support of the people who believed in him. That support has given me the courage to challenge the might of the ruling establishment at the Centre,” he said.
In a message aimed at strengthening unity within the party ranks, Jagan stressed that the YSR Congress Party was not the property of any one individual, including himself.
“It is a movement belonging to millions of admirers who hold YSR in their hearts and to the countless workers who have devoted themselves to building the party,” he said.
In an emotional appeal to the cadre, Jagan said the real strength of the party lies in the workers who carry him “in their hearts and on their shoulders.”
Those who stand firm during difficult times without retreating, he added, constitute the true army of the party.
Jagan described the YSRCP’s political journey not merely as the rise of a political organisation but as a testament to the sacrifices, hard work and dedication of lakhs of supporters who believed in the party’s mission.
Expressing confidence about the party’s future, the YSRCP president assured supporters that the organisation would continue to move forward with pride and conviction.
He said every supporter associated with the party should be able to stand tall in society and proudly declare: “That is our leader, and that is our YSRCP.”
Amid what he described as value-less politics in the present environment, Jagan asserted that the YSR Congress Party would remain committed to the principles of credibility and integrity that it claims to represent.