The primary attribute of a leader is to safeguard his people. Some leaders go out of the way to assist their supporters and party workers during times of trouble, often instigated by their opponents.
Looking into the history, Chandrababu appears to excel in this specific aspect. He never abandons his people when they face difficulties plotted by his opponents.
Like any other leader, Chandrababu expects his followers to work with utmost dedication. Once they do, he never betrays them. He is both a strategist and a savior for his people.
Chandrababu's masterstroke was to send TDP leaders to BJP after losing the 2019 election. This enabled him to employ strong legal teams and indirectly influence the country's power structure, leading to the imprisonment of numerous YSRCP supporters who helped in the victory of Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2019 election. Thus CBN instilled fear in the YSRCP social media workforce. Surprisingly, in spite of being in power Jagan failed to protect his people owing to his lack of lobbying power. Chandrababu outscores Jagan in this aspect.
Then Chandrababu employed a strategy of wooing dissatisfied YSRCP leaders to his side and gradually distancing them from both the party and Jagan.
Chandrababu understands the pulse of power centers and knows who can assist him in various situations. He is his people's leader. He rescued Balakrishna during the YSR regime when he was caught in firing case. He went out of his way to plead with YSR and other power centers to free Balakrishna from legal entanglements, putting his own self pride and ego aside to save a family member. Even now Chandrababu continues to stand by his people and party workers. Even when some TDP members are arrested, he ensures their release by evening, hiring the best legal team for each case.
However, Jagan Mohan Reddy failed to do the same. Despite his close ties with Narendra Modi at the center, he was unable to prevent the arrest of his own supporters and his own family member, Bhaskar Reddy. Jagan believes in letting the law take its course, but that does not make one a strong leader. Followers depart quickly under such leadership.
What CBN possesses that Jagan lacks is the power of lobbying. CBN has mastered the art of controlling central leaders, the legal system, and his own supporters and leaders, making him a true leader whose following never dwindles once they experience how he protects them from harm.
This is a lesson to be learned from Chandrababu by any leader.
A Rama Mohan Rao
