Showdown by TDP & YSRCP on June 22 in Visakhapatnam

The Telugu Desam Party and their main opposition YSRCP are all geared up for a major showdown on June 22. On the date, YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will be leading a Maha Dharna in the city, while the TDP will be holding a Maha Sankalpa Deeksha at the Gandhi statue.

The Maha Dharna by the YSRCP will be to demand protection of lands for people in the city. 5000 party workers and leaders are expected to be present at the Maha Sankalpa Deeksha. The aim of the programme by the TDP is also to protect the lands of those residing in Visakhapatnam.

Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Ayyanna Patrudu have condemned the land scam and requested a probe. The CM has ordered an inquiry by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Visakhapatnam South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar stated that the opposition is creating a ruckus instead of welcoming the move. Fact remains that not just the opposition, even BJP, TDP’s ally, seems to be confused by the move to order a probe by SIT instead of CBI.

As of now, the Maha Sankalpa Deeksha has no official clearance for the programme, but with both events slated to be held on the same day at the same place, people remain wary. The Maha Dharna by YSRCP got permission, but at GVMC instead of the Collectorate, their preferred venue. The events to transpire will most likely play a role in the general elections of 2019.

Previously, when YS Jagan wanted to hold a candlelight rally for demanding special status to Andhra Pradesh, he was detained at the airport and prevented from doing so. Now, tensions mount and it remains to be seen how these two events will end up because MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar states that the TDP chose to have their Maha Sankalpa Deeksha in the same day on purpose. His reasoning being that it is the most opportune time to show the public how false the propaganda released by YSRCP is.

In fact, the events seem to be rigged right from the beginning as he also stated that banners with messages of the corrupt activities that YSRCP has been a part of will be what’ll welcome them at the airport.