It was only a few days ago that YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister heaped praises on village and ward volunteers for their selfless service and unflinching commitment.
He described them as a Tulasi plant in the backyard and a backbone of the government in implementing the welfare programmes.
He called the 2,66,000-member volunteer force as “Jagan Army” who are carrying out the welfare schemes with transparency.
Jagan also referred to the volunteers as his brand ambassadors, as they are extending the benefits of welfare programmes at people’s doorstep fearlessly and passionately without minding the caste, creed and political affiliations of the beneficiaries.
After listening to the good words from Jagan about them, some of the volunteers have started treating themselves as YSRC leaders in the villages and are nurturing big political ambitions.
One such volunteer from Parupaka village of Routhulapudi mandal in Kakinada district is demanding that Jagan should give him the YSRC ticket to contest the assembly elections from Prathipadu assembly constituency under “volunteer quota.”
The volunteer, Padi Mahesh, took out a rally in the constituency on Thursday demanding that Jagan give him the party ticket to contest the assembly elections from Prathipadu constituency.
He claimed that he is also from Backward Classes and said it would be a recognition to the services of all volunteers, if he is given the party ticket in the assembly elections.
“Jagan brought a lot of respect and honour to village volunteers. Why not encourage them by giving the chance to contest the elections?” he asked.
Mahesh said he also had political background, as his father Gadi Nukaraju had earlier worked as village sarpanch. He claimed that he had completed graduation, but joined as a volunteer out of affinity for Jagan.
