There is a saying in Telugu, "Eru daataaka theppa tagaleyadam," which loosely implies to "use and throw once the job is done." This phrase came to mind when I read an intriguing article in a daily.
Sakshi Daily published an article titled "Dheera Vanitalu," praising the resilient women leaders — Srujana, Varikallu Nagendramma, MPTC member Kambala Satyasri, and others — for their endurance in the face of violence from the ruling alliance party.
The article highlights their political strength and their ability to withstand the attacks from the opposition during the bi-elections for Zilla Parishad, MPTCs, Sarpanches, and other positions.
The story emphasizes that with the support of the people, the bravery of party workers, and the determination of the leaders, the alliance mobs were unable to defeat these women leaders.
However, the crucial point that should not be overlooked is that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the leader of YSRCP, should remember these dedicated women and honor them with positions if the party comes to power again.
Unfortunately, he failed to do so in the previous term. Many loyal grassroots fighters, particularly the “Dheera Vanithas,” were ignored once the party assumed power.
This issue isn’t exclusive to Jagan Mohan Reddy or the YSRCP; it’s a common problem across all political parties.
Every party has loyalists at the grassroots level who struggle immensely, but once the party attains power, they are sidelined in favor of NRIs or wealthy individuals who are given prestigious positions like ministerial roles and corporation chairmanships. No party is immune to this issue.
Another significant concern is the excessive reliance on so-called strategists, who are often paid vast sums of money, while the loyal grassroots workers are overlooked.
The problem is further exacerbated by the close coterie within the party. These leaders, often close to the Chief Minister, suppress rising loyalists to protect their own positions. This conspiracy prevents genuine party fighters from receiving the recognition they deserve.
Let’s be clear here- the people at the bottom are the ones who bring the CM to power. They fight tirelessly, day in and day out, to ensure electoral success.
Yet, when the party comes to power, they are ignored. But when the party is in power, they are ignored, while their contributions are only praised in opposition.
Consider the social media activists who stood by Jagan Mohan Reddy during the 2019 elections. Their support was unwavering, but what did they get in return? Suppression by those from the close coterie who were in charge of the party’s social media division.
This is the fate awaiting every grassroots warrior if history is anything to go by. It’s time to stop this cycle of betrayal and give the true fighters the recognition they deserve — before it’s too late.
All party workers should be mindful of these facts: there is no guarantee that their sacrifices and loyalty will be acknowledged or rewarded.
