Padayatra & YSR Political Leadership Legacy
'Padayatra' is a Telugu word, which meant 'walkathon' in the English language. In the South Indian major Andhra Pradesh (AP) state, since the year 2003 onwards 'Padayatra' gained significant political currency, keeping in view upcoming scheduled elections to the AP Legislative Assembly. Dr Y S Rajashekara Reddy (YSR) is well cherished and remembered even today for his undertaken walkathon from Chevella location in the Telangana region to Ichapuram in Srikakulam district in the North Coastal region of AP.
YSR was a politically ambitious politician. He had cherished dream to become the Chief Minister of AP. This became his life-time dream. His dream was not a secret. Various sections of the public were well aware of his dream. Accordingly, he became a group leader within the AP unit of the Indian National Congress (INC). INC is a national political party in India. YSR was well associated with the INC as a mainstream leader and politician. Though YSR had been politically successful in keeping up and continuing his political legacy in the INC by winning successfully either to the Lok Sabha or to the AP Legislative Assembly; he was dissatisfied for not able to occupy his cherished AP Chief Minister's position.
YSR was bestowed with some unique leadership traits best suited to him. Every person or politician invariably possess certain leadership traits unique to him/her, and such leadership traits are also usually honed depending upon the political region under which he/she operates. YSR's honed leadership qualities can be primarily observed from the Kadapa and Rayalaseema region, which is observed as a faction-ridden area. Same time, YSR also honed his leadership dynamics as a leader of the INC. While dealing, functioning and operating under a national party like the INC, certain unique traits are required, like; having a good network with the INC's national leadership. In addition to these leadership traits (i.e., Kadapa / Rayalaseema faction background leadership & maintaining good network with the INC national leadership), YSR had another kind of leadership trait too; he was a group leader within the INC.
INC is well known for groups and group leaders. Various sections of society saw group culture as boon and curse to the INC. However, if group culture operates in a democratic way to put forward any potential policy dimensions and lobby accordingly, there is nothing wrong in such a culture's operation. By any chance, if group politics degenerates for the achievement of any other dubious desired achievements, which is against to the cherished democratic ethos, then that is an objectionable problem. The group culture in the INC was seen at times concerning the second dimension and some sections used to feel group culture as harmful to Indian politics and the INC. However, group culture is not unique to the INC; such dynamics can be found across the world since the start of many successful political parties.
Ultimately, YSR was able to be successful as a group leader in the INC. By observing his leadership qualities, unbreakable political wave in the Kadapa district and followership among individual sections of the INC; the national leadership of the INC offered him certain vital positions to discharge effectively, like; President of the of AP INC, AP INC leader on the floor of the AP Legislative Assembly, etc. At last, the INC national leadership also entrusted YSR to work towards the achievement of bringing back the AP INC into power by beating out the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
In fact, YSR campaigned much with the INC national leadership that he would beat-out the TDP in AP and bring back lost glory to the INC. After convinced that YSR would be able to deal well in AP against the substantial opponent section, TDP; the INC national leadership entrusted him to work tirelessly in AP against the TDP and ensured him to unite various group sections of the AP INC.
Though YSR was a group leader within the AP INC, ultimately he was successful in winning the support of various sections of the AP INC and accordingly led the AP INC against opponent TDP. Finally, under his leadership, AP INC was able to beat out the TDP under Nara Chandrababu Naidu's leadership. While functioning as the prime key functional leader of the AP INC leader, with the explicit and implicit approval from the INC's national leadership, YSR operated dynamically by taking necessary individual decisions, which were much relevant to bring the AP INC into power. Thus, without grant of a certain degree of autonomy to the regional leaders like YSR by the INC national leadership, it would be challenging to achieve capture of political power at the regional / states level. In fact, INC's national leadership success lies at choosing the right leader at the right time to lead it at the state's level and keep up its political prospectus high.
Overall, various stages of leadership phases in YSR's life can be drawn and constructed. Padayatra under-taken by YSR stands as a unique leadership trait in his political life. There were lots of changes in YSR leadership dynamics 'before Padayatra and after Padayatra'. However, after Padayatra, though YSR was successful as an AP INC leader in beating out the TDP, and became AP Chief Minister on behalf of the INC; unfortunately, he died in a few years. Thus, though a significant drift in YSR's leadership was seen after Padayatra, unfortunately, he left the world in a tragic helicopter crash. However, various political sections expressed satisfaction that after Padayatra YSR's leadership traits benefitted more comprehensive sections of the INC and the society at large. As AP Chief Minister, YSR effectively demolished further group politics in the AP INC. As a result, the AP INC leaders had a tough time to maintain influential group against YSR and others with the visible or invisible blessings of the INC national leadership. Though at times, the INC national leadership also encouraged groups in the AP INC against YSR, in a low intensity; such plans were not much effective.
Comments