As Jagan readies for 2 elections at once, a meeting to placate those who didn’t get a ticket in Andhra

This is a crucial aspect of the meeting as sources say several sitting MLAs who are not being renominated are unhappy, and leaders who anticipated tickets have also not been accommodated this time.

On December 12, a two-time YSRCP MLA from Mangalagiri, A Ramakrishna Reddy, resigned after getting hints that the party was fielding a BC candidate G Chiranjeevi instead of him. However, last week, Reddy was persuaded to return to the party and met the chief minister.

YSRCP leaders said the meeting, which is being held at CK Convention Hall, is a poll preparation meeting. YSRCP general secretary and adviser to the government, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, said the Jagan will give directions and guide the cadre and leaders on how to once again start reaching out to the people and talk about the benefits that they have received from the YSRCP government why Jagan must continue as the chief minister.

“We want to make the CM’s appeal of `why not 175?’ a reality. We will work hard to win all the seats,” said senior minister Botsa Satyanaryana.

Jagan will interact with booth and ward-level committees and explain to them how the numerous welfare measures that the YSRCP government has introduced should be discussed with the people when they start door-to-door reachout programmes shortly. The chief minister is especially keen that beneficiaries are aware of the government’s Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhuthvam (Our government at every doorstep) initiative that has delivered welfare schemes and services to the doorstep.

At the meeting, the chief minister and party leaders are also likely to take a call on inducting any rebels from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) or Jana Sena Party who are unhappy for not being allotted tickets after the TDP-JSP announced their first list of 99 candidates.

The meeting is set to take place ahead of the massive show of strength public meeting that the YSRCP is organising at Addanki in Bapatla district on March 3 to be addressed by the chief minister. Sources said nearly 10 lakh YSRCP cadres and supporters will attend the `Siddham’ (ready for elections) public meeting.