It's been a year of total dedication for Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

How would one rate the performance of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as he enters the second year of being in power? Well, while his critics have many things to say, Jagan has proved that he is a man who would go ahead with his agenda not bothering about what Opposition parties have to say. His entire focus during the last one year has been on delivering the promises he had made during his marathon 3,600-km long padayatra in the run-up to the general elections. Corona or no corona, bad financial situation should not come in the way of implementation of welfare schemes has been his policy which he doggedly followed. Certainly, he has earned the goodwill of masses as he has been able to fulfil promises like implementation of his Navaratnalu which touch every section of the vulnerable sections of society whom he considers to be his vote bank.

As he enters the second year of his being in power, apart from taking necessary steps to boost the economy, he ensures that the State succeeds in attracting more and more investments which is a key aspect if he has to keep his promise of providing 70% of jobs for the local youth. Another major issue on which he now needs to focus is to complete the Kadapa Steel Plant. Jagan had laid foundation stone for this plant after sanctioning Rs 20,000 crore. It is now clear that the Centre is not keen on extending help for the Kadapa Steel Plant, nor is it going to give special category status. Barring a few controversies like abolition of Legislative Council or the ordinance issued on State Election Commissioner or shifting of capital from Amravati, the sailing for Jagan so far has been smooth enough. The landslide victory of winning 151 seats out of 175 Assembly and 22 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats has helped him to move ahead with his plans. Right from the time he took oath as the Chief Minister, he has been clear in his mind that all ongoing works would be stopped and that he would make all out efforts to check corruption at all levels and earn the name of being the best Chief Minister in the country within six months. Certainly, his welfare schemes have earned him such a name in one year.

The government came in for serious criticism that it had shelved many projects like Amaravati core capital works by Singapore Consortium, Krishnapatnam and Machlipatnam Port SEZ, Convention Centre by Lulu Group in Visakhapatnam, shelving of Adani group's data centre etc. But then the government claimed that it had saved a few hundreds of crores by taking up reverse tendering. He proved to be a man of determination and though Opposition parties feel that he has been adopting destructive policies, the fact is that this has helped gain confidence of the poor and downtrodden sections who are the real voters in India. But for corona pandemic, Jagan would have certainly shifted the executive capital to Visakhapatnam notwithstanding the fact that the issue is still pending in High Court. He has been known for his steadfastness in doing what he thinks is good for the people.

But if he can resolve the issue of the farmers who had given away 34,000 acres of land for capital city, he would emerge as a true leader. His opponents have been attacking him saying that government was ignoring even constitutional bodies but all this frustration or anger is seen mostly in political parties and not among the people for the present. As far as people are concerned, Jagan has kept his word that 'Nenu Vinnanu Nenu Unnanu'. For them the controversies on PPAs, abolition of Legislative Council, painting of party colours to government building do not matter. They are also not bothered about in how many issues the High Court found fault with administration. They only know that they have been promised Navaratnalu and that they are getting. Jagan has certainly strengthened his position politically in the State and that is what counts at the time of elections. He is in fact eagerly waiting for the local body elections to prove his strength and high levels of acceptance among the people of the State. If all goes well, may be in August the government may decide to go in for local body elections.