Jagan says social justice upheld in YSRC candidates’ selection

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy released the final list of YSRC candidates for the 2024 twin elections after paying tributes to his father and former chief minister late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy at the YSR Ghat in Idupalapaya on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM and YSRC president underlined that social justice has been ensured in the selection of party candidates for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. In an unprecedented manner, Jagan Mohan Reddy said 50 per cent of the seats have been allotted to SCs, STs, BCs and minority candidates.

There is a significant increase in representation given to SC, ST, BC, and minority communities when compared to 2019. 11 more seats have been given to these communities during the 2024 elections.

The Chief Minister recalled that the YSRC government has already enacted a law giving 50 per cent of the nominated posts to SCs, STs, BCs and minority communities.

He said, “Out of 175 seats in the Assembly, SCs, STs, BCs, minorities and OC communities have been given 29, 7, 48, 7 and 91 seats respectively, while 19 women have been selected from different communities. There are five women in the list of Lok Sabha candidates.”

He clarified that the candidate for Anakapalli Lok Sabha seat will be announced later.

The YSRC chief said, “Despite selecting 24 women, I am not satisfied. I wanted to give more seats to women. But I hope there will be more women next time.”

He pointed out that 77 per cent of MLA and MP candidates are graduates. They include 15 advocates, 18 doctors, 34 engineers, two civil servants, one journalist and five teachers.

He clarified that there have been changes in 81 Assembly constituencies and 18 Lok Sabha seats.

In the 200 MLA and MP seats, the distribution is SCs – 33, STs – 8, BCs – 59, OCs – 100. Seven of the candidates are from minorities and 24 are women.

Incidentally, during the year 2019 elections, SC leader Nandigam Suresh released the list of MP candidates. Continuing the tradition, MP Suresh released the list of 24 MP candidates.

Revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, belonging to the BC community, released the MLAs list.

Before releasing the list, the Chief Minister and other party leaders offered prayers at the Samadhi of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and sought blessings.