Public Talk: Gadapa Gadapaku vs Badude Badudu
Public Talk: Gadapa Gadapaku vs Badude Badudu
Leaders of the ruling and opposition parties have hit the road and are striving to connect with the public through mass contact programs. In view of the fast-approaching Assembly elections, the YCP and TDP, the main political parties participating in the elections, have launched Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhutvam and Badude Badudu, respectively.
YCP MLA clogged
YCP chief and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had ordered MLAs from his party to lead the cadre and go door-to-door to campaign on the various welfare schemes introduced and implemented by the government in the last three years.
The MLAs were asked to carry an information booklet on the different government schemes, a letter from the CM to the beneficiaries and also a public ballot is offered to each chamber with 50 questions on the development and welfare activities undertaken by the government and in al At the same time, give people phone numbers to file complaints, if any.
In addition, each MLA was given an allowance of Rs 2 crore to undertake any work immediately, if required. They were specifically told to let the public know that welfare schemes were continually being implemented despite the financial crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, the opposition TDP has launched a counter-program, Badude Badudu, as part of which party leaders are organizing widespread rallies and public gatherings. The TDP highlights the failures of the YCP government and also raises public awareness of the “corruption” and “false promises” made by Jagan during his walk.
TDP leaders also alleged that MLAs were being obstructed and prevented from entering villages during ‘Gadapa Gadapaku’. Etcherla MLA Kiran Kumar was prevented from going to Vijayarampuram in G Sigada mandal, Srikakulam district. The villagers even blocked his convoy from entering the village. They were angry with him for not building roads or providing basic services in the village and not implementing any welfare plan. Gannavaram MLA Kondeti Chitti Babu was even asked to leave a house because the women said it was useless to tell him their complaints. The public even raised slogan “MLA Go back”.
However, government adviser Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy refuted the accusations even when there was visual evidence showing people yelling at MLAs.
Volunteer assistance
On the other hand, public rallies and meetings held by the head of the TDP or other party leaders provoked a great response from the public. Large crowds attended meetings led by former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, his son and former MLC N. Lokesh, and various other leaders including senior leader J.C. Diwakar Reddy.
It is also known that the public voluntarily attended the meetings as opposed to the usual practice of mobilizing people by providing them with packets of biryani and bottles of beer. In addition, the leaders are greeted with ‘gaja malas’ and also encouraged with whistles and applause for their dialogues and direct questions that corner the YCP government.
Naidu is also in full swing as he witnesses the positive response to his party and the public meetings.Now, it has to be seen if the milling crowds at the public meetings would translate into votes and make the TDP clinch power.
