YSRCP only party in Andhra responding to people's difficulties Jagan

    Amaravati, Jul 16 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said 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, Jagan Mohan 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," Jagan Mohan 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.
    Reddy 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 ‘Recalling Chandrababu's Manifesto' campaign 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, Jagan Mohan 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, Jagan Mohan 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, Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that using this approach, anyone could be arrested.
    Claiming that Naidu is "misusing the police" to obstruct his visits, he 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, Jagan Mohan 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 claimed, 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.
    Also, he referred to the DIGs as alleged ‘mafia dons’.
    Reddy 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 debt, Rs 3.3 lakh crore, 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, and 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.
    Reacting to Reddy's remarks, senior TDP leader G Deepak Reddy asserted that there is no chance of the YSRCP chief returning to power.
    "People who suffered under your (YSRCP’s) regime and went through hardships will not want to experience them again. They will not vote for you—that is our assurance," Deepak Reddy told PTI.
    Responding to Reddy’s remarks likening DIGs to alleged “collection agents and mafia dons,” the TDP leader said the comments amounted to an attack on the police department.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)