Ending all speculations, YSRCP party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy secured a comfortable win in the 2019 Andhra Pradesh state Assembly elections. As counting began on Thursday, it soon became evident that the YSRCP would be the one to form the new state government, despite exit polls having indicated otherwise. Following his win, Jagan addressed the media at the YSRCP party office in Tadepalli.
“The people of Andhra Pradesh have given me a resounding victory. No one in the state has probably ever seen a victory of such stature. I will do everything I can for the people of Andhra Pradesh. I would like to reiterate that this mandate comes with a tremendous responsibility and that I will work to live up to the expectations (I am held up to). My father was first elected by the people in 2004, then again re-elected in 2009, it is with that responsibility and legacy that I take charge. I assure you that I will stand by the people of Andhra Pradesh and put in all the effort needed to ensure that history repeats itself,” said Jagan addressing the crowd and media.
He further added the responsibility of being Chief Minister is only given to one person in a population of 5 crore people. “God and the people have given me that opportunity (to be CM) and I assure the people that I will provide good governance.”
When asked about his first signature as CM, he said that he would first implement the Navaratnalu (Nine Gems) welfare schemes that he had promised during his campaign.
Jagan also spoke about his padayatra, months earlier, which had garnered much public support for him. He stated that in his 3000 kilometre journey, he had seen and heard the problems and sorrows of the people, and would work towards resolving them during his term.
Jagan contested from his home ground of Pulivendula constituency in the district of Kadapa. He won with a margin of more than 89,000 votes, defeating TDP candidate Venkata Satish Kumar Reddy Singa Reddy.
This was not the first time he has contested from the constituency. He previously stood from Pulivendula in 2014 and won. Though the TDP had come into power at the time, the YSRCP replaced the Congress party as one of the biggest and most relevant parties in the state, making its presence and arrival felt.
After the TDP’s defeat on Thursday, Chandrababu Naidu is expected to submit his resignation to the Governor by the evening.
Jagan is the son of late Y S Rajashekar Reddy, former chief minister of the state of Andhra Pradesh from Congress. Following his father’s death in a helicopter accident in 2009, Jagan founded the YSRCP in 2011.
Earlier this year, he completed a state-wide padayatra, marking the 1000 kilometer milestone in Nellore district. During the course of his walkathon, he allegedly interacted with over two crore people.
Jagan stated that he would be sworn into office on May 30.