Andhra Pradesh is simmering with rising temperatures, and the high-stakes elections for Assembly and Loksabha are only leading to a further rise of heat among political circles and the general public.
As politicians from major political parties are sweating out to win the votes, Yupbeat’s Special Correspondent Anand Mylavarapu caught up with Rajanagarm MLA Jakkampudi Raja. In the exclusive interview, the young MLA explained the reasons why AP people would re-elect the YSRCP government.
Anand Mylavarapu: AP is witnessing high-stakes elections for Assembly and Loksabha. How is the scenario in the Rajanagaram constituency?
Jakkampudi Raja: There is a clear wave in favor of YSRCP all over the state owing to CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s welfare schemes and good governance. It is even more positive in the Rajanagaram constituency. Besides Government initiatives, I have personally strived hard for the development of the constituency. I have brought about Rs 1700 Cr funds for various development works in the constituency, and they have always been available for people to address their problems.
Anand Mylavarapu: But there is criticism that the YSRCP government has just focused on freebies and neglected development.
Jakkapmudi Raja: That’s not true. People who do not know the ground situation make such accusations. Even today, many people struggle for basic needs in our nation. To ensure that the poor and needy are taken care of, CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy has introduced welfare schemes like Rythu Bharosa, Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, Cheyuta, and Aasara pensions. Welfare schemes introduced by YS Jaganmohan Reddy are not just DBTs but are investments that will offer a bright future for the next generation. So, these are not political freebies but investments for building a brighter future for AP people.
Anand Mylavarapu: OK, coming to Rajanagaram constituency, what makes you so confident of getting re-elected?
Jakkampudi Raja: Our family has been associated with the Rajanagaram constituency for decades, and everyone knows how my late father, Jakkampudi Rammohan Rao, selflessly served the people. Jakkampudi Rammohan Rao lives on in Rajanagaram people’s hearts even today. Continuing his legacy, I have tried my best in all spheres for the development of the Rajanagaram people. I’m always available to the people and take utmost care to ensure that every family in the constituency has benefitted in some way or another in the past five years.
Anand Mylavarapu: If you have to highlight one piece of work you did for the Rajanagaram constituency, what is it?
Jakkampudi Raja: One of the important achievements during my tenure was laying the four-lane Seethanagaram Highway. While it had been in demand for decades, with the support of CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, I got the project approved, funds released, and finally completed it. This highway will completely transform the Rajanagaram constituency and surrounding areas.
Another important achievement of mine is releasing water for farmers for the second crop. During the past TDP Government, farmers did not even get water for at least one crop. As a result, they incurred crop damage and suffered a lot. However, after I became MLA, I ensured that sufficient water was supplied for two crops for the farmers in the Rajanagaram constituency.
Besides these initiatives, I have made it a policy to ensure that all eligible people benefit from YSRCP Government schemes. In a survey we conducted, we found that about 85 to 90 percent of people in the Rajanagaram constituency benefited from YSRCP government welfare schemes. People got financial support and DBTs without the involvement of any middlemen, irrespective of political affiliations. This is a huge achievement.
Anand Mylavarapu: You are saying that YS Jagan’s welfare schemes will ensure your victory. But it seems that AP politics revolves around only ‘caste’. Being Kapu, don’t you feel Pawan Kalyan’s alliance with TDP will affect YSRCP at the state level and you personally in Rajanagaram?
Jakkampudi Raja: It is natural that in an electoral democracy, political parties devise their politics around caste groups for votes. But I can say with conviction that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has gone past vote bank caste politics. If you examine the schemes introduced by CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy, you will see that people from all castes benefited from them, irrespective of their political affiliations and community. In fact, YS Jaganmohan Reddy is the first leader in history who has shown utmost concern towards marginalized and poor sections like SC, ST, BC, and Minorities. All these people will never leave YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
Anand Mylavarapu: But what about the Kapu community?
Jakkampudi Raja: The Kapu community is also rallying behind YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Unlike Chandrababu Naidu, our leader, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, has never cheated or played with the emotions of the Kapu community. In fact, the YSR Kapu Nestham scheme was launched by the YSRCP government when I headed the Kapu Corporation as its chairman. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy introduced it, recognizing the self-respect of Kapu women. Kapus all over the state are wholeheartedly supporting YSRCP.
Anand Mylavarapu: But your constituency is Kapu-dominated, and you are facing a Janasena candidate. Will it not affect you?
Jakkampudi Raja: As I said, I have worked for the development of people from all sections. I have never shown any partiality towards a specific group nor neglected anyone, so it does not matter who my opponent is. I’m confident that YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s good governance and my work in Rajanagaram will ensure a comfortable victory for me.
Anand Mylavarapu: Thank you, Raja, for your time amid the busy elections. I wish you the best.
Watch this video for Rajanagaram MLA Jakkampudi Raja’s full interview in Telugu
(Let’s Talk Media is Yupbeat.com‘s Telugu content partner.)
