YSRCP names 12 commoners as its ‘star campaigners’
In a move that is being widely talked about, the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has named 12 commoners as its star election campaigners. Hailing from humble backgrounds, the 12 persons are a stark contrast to the campaigners roped in by other political parties, such as lm stars and celebrities, say ruling party sources.
Katari Jagadish from Anakapalli Assembly segment, a father of three, runs a small roadside shop sewing seat covers for twowheelers. His elder son’s engineering course has been supported through a full-fee reimbursement scheme under Jagananna Vidya Deevena and accommodation schemes like Jagananna Vasati Deevena.
Each has a story to tell
“Even before the launch of the ‘Siddham’ campaign, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that his true star campaigners are the people of Andhra Pradesh, and that he did not need anyone else,” recalled Mr. Jagadish.
Some other campaigners are Pandalaneni Sivaprasad of Avanigadda. Recently, his eldest son, Krishna Kishore, secured admission to a Master’s programme in Political Affairs at Columbia University. The exorbitant course fee of ₹1.36 crore seemed unattainable. He then applied for the YSRCP’s foreign education welfare scheme ( Jagananna Videshi Deevena) and received the required funds.
Anantha Lakshmi from Rajahmundry City constituency has set up a clothing shop in her village to support her family through the ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme. She highlighted the case of Dasari Mahalakshmi, a woman who received ₹2 lakh insurance upon her husband’s death, along with ‘Pension Kanuka’ and ‘Amma Vodi’ schemes.
Syed Anwar from Nellore spoke of how thousands of students were now getting access to English-medium education, and were studying in digital classrooms, all of which had led to a huge condence boost for them.