Yuva Galam Padayatra
{{Short description|Political event}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox event
| name = Yuva Galam Padayatra
| image = File:Telugu Desam Party Flag.png
| logo =
| date = {{start and end dates|2023|1|27|2023|12|18|df=yes}}
| duration = 226 days
| location = Andhra Pradesh
| type = Padayatra
| theme = Political Movement and Campaign
| motive = To fight against poverty, unemployment, corruption and the anarchy of the ruling party by mobilizing the youth of AP
| organisers = Nara Lokesh, Telugu Desam Party
| participants = Civilians, Politicians, Political Activists, Civil Society Organizations and Celebrities
}}
Yuva Galam (Lit: ‘Voice of the Youth’), is a mass contact movement led by Telugu Desam Party popularly known as TDP. National General Secretary of TDP Nara Lokesh is undertaking the walkathon to engage the youth of Andhra Pradesh, encourage them to become active participants in the state's political process and join in him in raising their voice fearlessly.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-28 |title=Yuva Galam: TDP's Nara Lokesh to embark on 4,000-km padayatra from Kuppam on January 27, 2023 |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/yuva-galam-tdps-nara-lokesh-to-embark-on-4000-km-padayatra-from-kuppam-on-january-27-2023/article66314206.ece |access-date=2023-07-13 |issn=0971-751X}}
On 27 January 2023, Nara Lokesh started the Yuva Galam Padayatra with a plan to cover 100 Assembly constituencies in the state of Andhra Pradesh with a road map to walk 4,000 km from Kuppam to Srikakulam.{{Cite web |last=ANI |date=2023-03-19 |title=Andhra Pradesh: Nara Lokesh's padayatra 'Yuva Galam' reaches 600 km milestone in Kidiri |url=https://theprint.in/politics/andhra-pradesh-nara-lokeshs-padayatra-yuva-galam-reaches-600-km-milestone-in-kidiri/1456706/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}} The walkathon is to rally support for the TDP for the Andhra assembly and Lok Sabha polls.{{Cite web |title=Why TDP's Nara Lokesh feels time's up for Jagan Reddy regime |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-tdps-nara-lokesh-feels-times-up-for-jagan-reddy-regime-2408401-2023-07-18 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=India Today |language=en}} The main aim of the padayatra is said to restore the credibility of the TDP as alternative to the ruling party and to showcase its commitment to addressing the issues faced by the people of Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite web |last=Sudhir |first=S. N. V. |date=2023-01-27 |title=Nara Lokesh begins Yuva Galam padayatra to revitalise TDP amid Taraka Ratna health scare |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/andhrapradesh/nara-lokesh-begins-yuva-galam-padayatra-to-revitalise-tdp-amid-taraka-ratna-health-scare/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=The South First |language=en-GB}} The ongoing padayatra is planned to be the longest in the political history of Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Grand welcome for TDP's Nara Lokesh as he flags off 'Yuvagalam' Padayatra in Kuppam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-nara-lokesh-kick-starts-4000-km-long-yuvagalam-padayatra-amidst-fanfare-at-kuppam/articleshow/97366210.cms?from=mdr |access-date= |website=Times of India}} The padayatra is currently moving up the Andhra coast after completing the foot march in the Rayalaseema Region.{{Cite web |title=Why TDP's Nara Lokesh feels time's up for Jagan Reddy regime |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-tdps-nara-lokesh-feels-times-up-for-jagan-reddy-regime-2408401-2023-07-18 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=India Today |language=en}}
Background
The 40-year-old Stanford graduate{{Cite news |date=2015-10-20 |title=Lokesh shares success mantra with students |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/lokesh-shares-success-mantra-with-students/article7787091.ece |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} TDP general secretary, whom Mr. Naidu is trying to groom as his political successor, faces an uphill task in proving his leadership qualities. The son of Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh is a young political scion of the important Naidu family. To TDP supporters, Lokesh is their
The 2019 state legislative assembly election loss by a small margin of 5,200 votes was a setback to his political career's first election. Political observers say it will be an acid test for Lokesh to emerge as a leader of caliber and live up to the standards set by senior TDP leadership.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-28 |title='Junior Babu' or 'Andhra Pappu': Nara Lokesh faces his political acid test |url=https://www.sakshipost.com/news/junior-babu-or-andhra-pappu-nara-lokesh-faces-his-political-acid-test-193727 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Sakshi Post |language=en}} In a brave move, in 2019 he contested from Mangalagiri, a constituency incumbent with the YSRCP and added that "There is no point in searching for a safe seat".{{Cite news |date=2019-04-08 |title=There is no point in searching for a safe seat: Nara Lokesh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/andhra-pradesh/there-is-no-point-in-searching-for-a-safe-seat-lokesh/articleshow/68768852.cms |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
After the elections, specifically after COVID lockdown, Lokesh went for an image makeover. The burly-looking leader shed some weight, grew a beard and changed his body language. Following the footsteps of his political predecessors such as YS Rajashekara Reddy, N Chandrababu Naidu, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Rahul Gandhi, Lokesh embarked on the 4,000 km-long state-wide padayatra from Kuppam constituency on 27 January 2023.{{Cite web |last=DC Correspondent |date=12 November 2022 |title=Lokesh to embark on year-long Padayatra from Jan 27 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/111122/lokesh-to-embark-on-year-long-padayatra-from-jan-27.html |access-date=13 July 2023}} The padayatra is said to pass through at least 100 assembly constituencies to connect with people at the grassroots level, understand their issues and also to mold him into a mass leader. As of 9 July 2023, the Padayatra has successfully reached over 150 days.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-09 |title=Day-151 Live: Nara Lokesh Yuva Galam Pada Yatra in Kavali Assembly Constituency. |url=https://www.ap7am.com/vn/376116/day-151-live-nara-lokesh-yuva-galam-pada-yatra-in-kavali-assembly-constituency |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=ap7am.com |language=en}}
Public Events
While the padayatra is going on, Lokesh is actively indulging in hearing out people’s problems by holding face-to-face meetings with various communities in each constituency. The youth leader is meeting with farmers, youth, women, Muslims, BCs, SCs, STs, traders, IT professionals and other communities to understand their problems.
Milestones
Nara Lokesh has been making promises at various milestones of the Yuva Galam padayatra. The Youth leader claims that there was lot of research and discussion behind these promises and swore to implement them as soon as TDP comes to power.{{Cite web |title=Why TDP's Nara Lokesh feels time's up for Jagan Reddy regime |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-tdps-nara-lokesh-feels-times-up-for-jagan-reddy-regime-2408401-2023-07-18 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=India Today |language=en}} Here are the promises that have been announced by him:
Public Reception
The youth movement continued uninterrupted except on unavoidable occasions like Tarakaratna's death, the MLC election code, Ugadi and Mahanadu. The Yuva Galam attracted a lot of attention from both the mainstream and social media right from the start. In many places, people joined Nara Lokesh in large numbers on his Padayatra.{{Cite web |title=Andhra Pradesh: TDP workers join 'Yuva Galam Padyatra' in Kuppam {{!}} News - Times of India Videos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/andhra-pradesh-tdp-workers-join-yuva-galam-padyatra-in-kuppam/videoshow/97399353.cms |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
Political strategists say much has changed in Lokesh, from the maturity in his speeches such as emphasizing 'Babu is the CM' to playing it safe by using
Critics have alleged that Nara Lokesh replicated Jagan's Padayatra in a manner that closely mimicked the Praja Sankalpa Yatra, including shot-for-shot recreations and identical camera angles from where the photographs were captured.{{Cite web |last=Arikatla |first=Venkat |date=2023-04-13 |title=Lokesh's Copycat Version of Jagan's Journey |url=https://www.greatandhra.com/politics/gossip/lokeshs-copycat-version-of-jagans-journey-128573 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=greatandhra.com |language=en}} Critics also pointed out that, Nara Lokesh is imitating the immoral language used by Kodali Nani and Perni Nani. However, Nara Lokesh’s language attracted mixed opinions, neither good nor bad.{{Cite web |last=Arikatla |first=Venkat |date=2023-02-15 |title=Andhra Talk: 'Cadre Upset With Lokesh's Behavior' |url=https://www.greatandhra.com/politics/andhra-news/andhra-talk-cadre-upset-with-lokeshs-behavior-127281 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=greatandhra.com |language=en}}
The party claims to have received 2000+ written petitions from the people through the Yuva Galam Padayatra, but people are not being kept in the loop. A farmer from Hindupuram commented that they want to know what they are doing to his requests as there was no response.{{Cite web |title=Political Analysis : ఇది యువగళమా ... జనగళమా... |url=https://telugu.hindustantimes.com/andhra-pradesh/political-analysis-on-nara-lokesh-yuvagalam-padayatra-completes-1000-km-in-ap-121682147850004.html |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Hindustantimes Telugu |language=te}}
Despite facing significant challenges, the TDP Supremo's son acknowledges the Padayatra's crucial role in the TDP's triumph in the MLC elections held in the three constituencies reserved for graduates, indicating a favorable response from the public.{{Cite web |title=Why TDP's Nara Lokesh feels time's up for Jagan Reddy regime |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-tdps-nara-lokesh-feels-times-up-for-jagan-reddy-regime-2408401-2023-07-18 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=India Today |language=en}}
Controversies
Since its commencement, Nara Lokesh's padayatra has been embroiled in controversies within the Telugu state. The unfortunate demise of actor Tarakaratna, who is Nara Lokesh's cousin, further added to the controversy surrounding the padayatra.
= Enactment of GO No.1 =
A week before the launch of Yuva Galam padayatra, The state government issued GO No. 1 imposing restrictions on public meetings creating hurdles to the yatra.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-22 |title=YSRCP government is trying to create hurdles for TDP 'Yuva Galam', alleges Yanamala |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ysrcp-government-is-trying-to-create-hurdles-for-tdp-yuva-galam-alleges-yanamala/article66420700.ece |access-date=2023-07-19 |issn=0971-751X}} During the course of Padayatra, the power supply was cut and DJ vans were seized at several places including Bangarupalem, Chittoor district, supposedly to cause troubles in the Padayatra.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-06 |title=State government creating hurdles for 'Yuva Galam' padayatra of Lokesh, alleges TDP |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/andhra-pradesh-state-government-creating-hurdles-for-yuva-galam-padayatra-of-lokesh-alleges-tdp/article66477749.ece |access-date=2023-07-19 |issn=0971-751X}} On other instances, the police reportedly grabbed the mike from Basha, a TDP activist, and pushed Lokesh down the bench he was standing on to address the local activists.{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2023-02-09 |title=AP: Police grab mike from TDP activist at Nara Lokesh's meeting |url=https://www.siasat.com/ap-police-grab-mike-from-tdp-activist-at-nara-lokeshs-meeting-2523049/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=The Siasat Daily |language=en-US}}
= Deployment of Drones =
During the initial days of the padayatra, there were allegations that the Government deployed drones in the context of security. These drones were allegedly used to take visuals in case of violations which could be used to testify in the court. But then, TDP cadres alleged that the visuals taken by these drones are being sent to YSR Congress’s social media cell and Sakshi.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-11 |title=Government Drones For Lokesh's Padayatra? |url=https://www.mirchi9.com/politics/government-drones-for-nara-lokesh-yuva-galam-padayatra/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=mirchi9.com |language=en-US}}
== Lokesh's allegations on YSRCP leaders ==
On the sidelines of his ongoing Yuva Galam padayatra at Alur in Kurnool district, Nara Lokesh alleged that Gummanur Jayaram- the Benz minister had grabbed 180 acres of prime land belonging to Ittina company. Though the lands grabbed by the ex-minister were commercial in nature, they were shown as agricultural lands and later registered in the names of the family members of Gummanur Jayaram. To substantiate his allegations, the TDP leader released several documents.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-20 |title=Nara Lokesh releases documents related to former minister Gummanur Jayaram's land scam involving 180 acres |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/nara-lokesh-releases-documents-related-to-former-minister-gummanur-jayarams-land-scam-involving-180-acres/articleshow/99640651.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-07-19 |issn=0971-8257}}
= Lokesh's allegation on Waqf Board land grabbing =
Situation took an unexpected turn when Nara Lokesh found himself facing a complaint filed by members of the Muslim Hakkula Parirakshana Samithi. The complaint alleged that Lokesh had made accusations against Kurnool MLA Hafeez Khan, claiming that Khan had unlawfully acquired Waqf Board lands.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=ముస్లిం సమాజాన్ని కించపరిచేలా వ్యాఖ్యలు.. లోకేష్పై ఫిర్యాదు |url=https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/andhra-pradesh/muslim-rights-protection-cell-complaints-against-tdp-nara-lokesh-1616774 |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Sakshi |language=te}} In their complaint, the office bearers of the Muslim Hakkula Parirakshana Samithi, said Lokesh should desist from levelling allegations against the MLA Hafeez Khan without evidence.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=AP: Complaint Against Nara Lokesh for Making Objectionable Comments Against Muslims |url=https://www.sakshipost.com/news/andhrapradesh/ap-complaint-against-nara-lokesh-making-objectionable-comments-against-muslims |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Sakshi Post |language=en}}
== Mishaps during Padayatra ==
During the padayatra, an auto driver who accompanied Nara Lokesh became the target of trolling when his shoes, resembling Adidas footwear, were used to discredit the participants of the padayatra. In response, the auto driver clarified that the shoes were counterfeit products. Despite his explanation, the trolls swiftly attempted to undermine his credibility.{{Citation |title=షూ డ్రామా {{!}} Auto driver who gave clarity on YCP fake propaganda |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbcCMaQp708 |access-date=2023-07-19 |language=en}}
Similarly, during the Padayatra in Proddatur, Andhra Pradesh's YSR Kadapa district, some miscreants targeted the padayatra by throwing eggs at Nara Lokesh and his team.{{Cite web |last=Now {{!}} |first=Times |date=2023-06-02 |title=Watch: Miscreants hurl eggs at security team of Chandrababu Naidu's son |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/watch-miscreants-hurl-eggs-at-security-team-of-chandrababu-naidus-son/videoshow/100708239.cms |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}
= Padayatra Break =
Nara Lokesh gave a break to the Yuva Galam Padayatra for two days on 13 and 14 July to testify for a defamation case before the district magistrate against the AP Forest Corporation Chairman Gurrampati Devender Reddy for allegedly accusing Lokesh of being responsible for the suicide of Kanthamaneni Umamaheswari by grabbing her 5 acres of land in Jubilee Hills and MLC Sunitha for allegedly calling out Heritage foods as 'Sara industry' (Cheap local liquor Industry).{{Cite web |title=కోర్టుకు హాజరుకానున్న నారా లోకేష్.. రెండ్రోజులు పాదయాత్రకు బ్రేక్ |url=https://telugu.samayam.com/andhra-pradesh/news/two-days-break-for-nara-lokesh-yuva-galam-padayatra/articleshow/101711415.cms |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Samayam Telugu |language=te}}