Andhra Pradesh: Assembly elections
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2019
Jagan Mohan/ YSRCP sweep assembly, LS elections
Samdani MN, May 24, 2019: The Times of India
With his clean sweep of both the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has gained a special status in national politics. YSRCP’s stunning performance has not only given Jagan the coveted CM’s post, the party was doing exceedingly well in the Lok Sabha polls too, leading in 22 out of 25 seats in the state at the time of going to the press.
In fact, at the time of going to press, YSRCP was poised to become the second largest party in the Lok Sabha from the south, just behind DMK.
But despite the numbers, Jagan will now struggle to keep the one promise around which his entire campaign revolved — getting special category status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. Jagan could still strike a positive relationship with the BJP top brass, including PM Narendra Modi, but it promises made in 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
The NDA government had denied SCS stating that Andhra Pradesh did not meet the parameters set by various finance commissions.
Hoping that no party may get a majority to form the government at the Centre, Jagan had been saying that his party would back any outfit that would grant SCS to the state. He thought that his party’s impressive tally in the Lok Sabha would improve his bargaining capacity with the ruling alliance at the Centre. “SCS is still high on our agenda. We will chalk out an action plan to achieve it,” said Jagan.
Landslide victory for Jagan, humiliating loss for Naidu
May 24, 2019: The Times of India
From: May 24, 2019: The Times of India
Monster victory for Jagan, humiliating loss for Naidu
YSR Congress Leads In 85% Of Andhra Assembly Seats
Vijayawada:
In an unprecedented landslide victory for any political party in Andhra Pradesh, the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) was all set to bag 85% of the assembly seats in the state as it was ahead in 150 of the 175 constituencies.
Final official data is yet to be released but estimates show that YSRCP polled about 50% of the votes. In Rayalaseema region, home to both outgoing chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP president YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the opposition party won 50 of the 52 assembly seats.
“This is a vote for confidence and trustworthiness,” Jagan said, promising that he would emerge as one of the best performing chief ministers of the state in the next six months. He also said he will take the chief ministerial oath in Vijayawada on May 30. Chandrababu Naidu, on the other hand, maintained a stoic silence till late on Thursday night. He later submitted his resignation and governor ESL Narasimhan accepted it.
Several factors, including scientific planning of the poll campaign and focussed criticism of government policies, coupled with massive support from women, weaker sections and the minorities, particularly Muslims, helped Jagan realise his dream of taking over the reins of Andhra Pradesh. Jagan went to voters with the slogans like “Give me one chance” and “I am with you”.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) put up a poor show with most of the ministers, including Naidu’s son and political heir-apparent Nara Lokesh, losing the electoral battle.
Jana Sena, the party of actor Pawan Kalyan, made a disappointing debut in the election with none of his candidates winning either a Lok Sabha or assembly seat. Pawan himself lost from two seats — Bhimavaram and Gajuwaka.
Congress, which was virtually decimated after the bifurcation of the state in 2014, continued to fare badly and did not win a single seat in the polls. This is the second time in a row that the party, which ruled Andhra Pradesh for many decades, failed to make it to the assembly.
Though the exit polls were divided between TDP and YSRCP, majority of them were in the favour Jagan’s party. TDP, which came to power after the bifurcation in 2014, was hopeful of retaining power for the second time.
However, the padyatra by Jagan paid rich dividends. Historically, a politician who has undertaken a padayatra in AP, has always got power. Jagan’s father, former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, and Naidu won the elections held soon after their respective padayatras. An analysis of the poll outcome indicated that people did not accept monetary doles given by TDP government before the elections. TDP had announced financial doles worth Rs 31,000 crore to various sections.
The new government will be faced with the Herculean task of keeping its various promises when the state exchequer is almost empty. The state government has withheld payment of bills to contractors for want of funds.
2024
From: June 5, 2024: The Times of India
See graphic:
The seats won and vote share of various parties in the Andhra Pradesh state legislative assembly elections in 2019 and 2024
