Amaravati, Jul 16 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh opposition leader Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said the YSRCP is the only party in the state that is addressing the concerns of various sections of the people and questioning the TDP-led NDA government over its alleged deceptions.
Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Reddy said the YSRCP is the only party responding to the concerns of various sections of people, including farmers, women, unemployed youth, students, and government employees.
"The only remaining opposition party in the state is the YSRCP. Today, it is the only party responding to the difficulties faced by the people, whether it's farmers, women, unemployed youth, students, or even government employees," Reddy said.
Claiming that democracy, law and order, and the overall political climate have become "questionable" under the N Chandrababu Naidu-led government, Reddy said the YSRCP is the only party raising concerns, particularly about 143 "unfulfilled poll promises".
He added that the YSRCP has been persistently leading protests on critical issues, including a demand for crop insurance for farmers on December 13, 2024, and statewide agitations against power tariff hikes on December 24, 2024.
Jagan claimed that Naidu levied excess power tariffs on people, amounting to Rs 18,272 crore and added that YSRCP also campaigned under the banner of ‘Babu surety, mosam (cheating) guarantee’ banner on March 12 to protest the alleged discontinuation of education-focused welfare programmes.
Likewise, he said YSRCP also launched the campaign ‘recalling Chandrababu’s manifesto’ to highlight the alleged non-fulfilment of key welfare promises.
According to the YSRCP chief, a climate of fear is prevailing in the state amid alleged "conspiracies orchestrated" by Naidu.
Recalling several of his visits across the state in recent months, Reddy claimed the government has been deploying police to prevent people from attending his meetings and has allegedly filed cases against some of those who did attend.
Listing multiple instances where "false FIRs" were allegedly filed against YSRCP leaders during his visits to a mirchi (chilli) yard, a mango market, and a condolence meeting for a slain party member, Reddy alleged his efforts to support farmers during price crashes were also met with "police action and mass arrests".
He questioned why raising public issues is "being treated as a crime" under the current regime and criticised the government for trying to "suppress discussions around its unfulfilled manifesto promises"—including the alleged failure to deliver unemployment aid to jobless youth, distribute free cooking gas cylinders, provide pensions, and reimburse fee, among others.
He stressed, however, that political parties have the right to reach out to the public and hold meetings.
Accusing Naidu of "following a modus operandi" in which false witnesses are used to file cases and arrest people, Reddy claimed that, using this approach, anyone could be arrested.
Claiming that Naidu is "misusing the police" to obstruct his visits, Reddy said the Andhra Pradesh police department—once known for its exemplary work and people-friendly reforms—is now witnessing resignations.
Citing the case of young IPS officer Siddarth Kaushal, who recently resigned, Reddy claimed that officers who do not toe the line of the NDA government are "being harassed".
He further alleged that Naidu is "withholding no-objection certificates for officials seeking deputation to Delhi".
"If the police are strong, criminals will leave the state—but instead, good officers are the ones leaving," he said, adding that hundreds of police personnel, including several senior IPS officers, are allegedly being harassed with false cases and denied postings.
He further alleged that the TDP-led NDA government is now using DIG-level officers as "collection agents" to extract kickbacks from sand, liquor, and other cash-rich activities in various constituencies.
He alleged that kickbacks from these activities are being funnelled to local MLAs, as well as to Naidu and the State Minister for HRD, IT and Electronics, Nara Lokesh.
Further, the opposition leader claimed that the NDA government has borrowed Rs 1.75 lakh crore—accounting for 52.4 per cent of the total Rs 3.3 lakh crore debt incurred by the previous YSRCP government—in just 13 to 14 months.
Reddy also issued a warning to Naidu and the officials aligning with him, stating that they would "face the consequences" of their actions, while asserting that the NDA government may last only another three years.
The YSRCP chief vowed that the opposition party would not be "intimidated by the alleged fake cases" filed against its leaders and cadres, and promised to "continue fighting" on behalf of the people.
"Your (Naidu’s) government may last another three years—after that, we will return. I am warning both you and the officials toeing your line by filing cases; you will pay back with interest. You will reap what you sow. Don’t forget this," Reddy claimed.
Meanwhile, there was no immediate response from the TDP.