As the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government has completed 18 months in power, the opposition YSR Congress party led by former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has begun efforts to regain the confidence of the people, so that it can come back to power in 2029 elections.
Following the adage that one should begin the search where one has lost, the YSRCP leaders, who lost the assembly elections in 2024, seem to have decided to get back to people and regain their lost hold in their respective constituencies.
The efforts have already started in Rayalaseema region, as the YSRCP is re-activating its grassroots machinery. In a key development, former Dharmavaram MLA Kethireddy Venkata Rami Reddy has announced the revival of his popular outreach programme “Good Morning Dharmavaram,” signalling revival of his public outreach campaign.
Kethireddy, who first won as an MLA from Congress in 2009, lost in 2014, and made a comeback in 2019 on a YSRCP ticket, was widely credited with building strong grassroots connect through the ‘Good Morning Dharmavaram’ initiative.
The programme involved early morning interactions with residents, addressing civic grievances and local issues, and had earned him a strong personal image.
Despite this, Kethireddy narrowly lost the 2024 election by 3,734 votes to BJP candidate Y Satyakumar, who later became a minister in the coalition government.
After the election, Kethireddy made sensational remarks criticising the functioning of the chief minister’s office during the Jagan regime and the conduct of certain officials, triggering political debate.
However, he later reaffirmed his loyalty to Jagan and expressed confidence that the YSRCP would return to power.
Now, in a strategic move, Kethireddy has officially announced that he will relaunch ‘Good Morning Dharmavaram’.
He has accused the sitting MLA Satyakumar of failing to deliver on election promises and asserted that he would remain among the people and stand by them.
With Rayalaseema witnessing shifting political equations and renewed activity from YSRCP leaders, Kethireddy’s move is being closely watched.
Political circles are keen to see whether the programme can recreate its earlier impact and help the YSRCP rebuild its base in Dharmavaram.
