Naidu’s grand conspiracy to mask failures.. A Year of Governance Failures

The coalition government, in its first year of rule, has faced widespread criticism for its inability to deliver on key promises, including the “Super Six” schemes. Law and order have deteriorated significantly, with daily reports of heinous crimes such as rapes and murders of women and girls across the state. The government’s failure to ensure safety and security has been termed an “utter flop,” while its reliance on “Red Book” arrests and harassment has further alienated the public.

Exploiting a Journalist’s Remarks

In a bid to divert attention from these failures, the coalition government has latched onto personal comments made by journalist Krishnaraju during a debate on Sakshi TV about the capital region, Amaravati. The TDP, along with other coalition leaders, has falsely attributed these remarks to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), its leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and his family members. This orchestrated misinformation campaign is seen as an attempt to deflect criticism of the government’s poor performance.

Toxic Politics to Shift Public Focus

The coalition’s leaders, with support from sympathetic media outlets, are accused of engaging in venomous politics to distract the public. By amplifying the journalist’s remarks, they aim to obscure their governance failures. YSRCP has explicitly condemned the journalist’s comments as indefensible, and Sakshi TV issued a statement clarifying its stance. However, the coalition continues its smear campaign, raising questions about whose honor is truly at stake—women’s or Chandrababu Naidu’s political agenda?

Home Minister’s Incompetence

The state’s Home Minister, Anitha, has come under fire for her inability to curb the rising tide of atrocities against women and children. Described as ineffective, she has publicly admitted to lacking authority, claiming she has “neither a baton nor a gun” to enforce law and order. Instead of addressing the crisis, Anitha has been criticized for limiting herself to press conferences, inflammatory rhetoric, and arrogant statements. Her focus on preaching about values and women’s dignity is seen as hypocritical, given her failure to act decisively.

Atrocities Under Anitha’s Watch

Daily reports of violence against women and girls, including rapes and murders, have exposed the Home Minister’s incompetence. Yet, neither she nor Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has addressed these incidents meaningfully. Instead, Anitha has been accused of using the journalist’s remarks to malign YSRCP and YS Jagan’s family, further engaging in divisive politics.

Red Book Policing

The police, under Anitha’s leadership, are allegedly preoccupied with enforcing a “Red Book” constitution, targeting political opponents rather than addressing crime. This has left women vulnerable, with one woman reportedly becoming a victim of violence every day. The government’s silence on these incidents has drawn sharp criticism.

TDP’s History of Toxic Rhetoric

The TDP has been accused of pioneering a culture of vile and degrading political discourse. Anitha’s speeches, both during the last elections and as Home Minister, have been criticized for targeting YS Jagan, his mother, and his wife with derogatory remarks. Such language, deemed unacceptable by any standard, has never been followed by an apology from Anitha. Critics argue that her attacks on YSRCP are a distraction from her failure to protect women’s lives and dignity.

Horrific Crimes Ignored

A recent case in Anantapur’s Sri Satya Sai district highlights the government’s negligence. A ninth-grade student in Edhu Gurraala Palle was allegedly raped by 14 TDP members over six months. The victim’s family, unable to file a complaint due to fear, was forced to flee their village. Sakshi TV brought this case to light, raising questions about why no arrests have been made and why the police failed to act. Similarly, the murder of a tribal student, Tanmayi, in Anantapur’s NCC Nagar has gone unaddressed by the Home Minister and Chief Minister.

Proliferation of Liquor Shops

The state has seen a surge in illegal liquor outlets, with “belt shops” reportedly operating in every street. This has created an unsafe environment for women, who fear venturing out, and for girls attending schools and colleges. Parents are increasingly anxious about their daughters’ safety. The government’s inaction on closing these shops—estimated at 60,000 statewide—has been labeled as a betrayal of women’s honor. Critics challenge Anitha to shut down these outlets if she truly cares about women’s safety.

YS Jagan’s Legacy of Women’s Empowerment

In contrast, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister is lauded for its focus on women’s welfare. His government implemented schemes like Asara, Cheyutha, Amma Vodi, and housing programs, providing women with financial and social support. Jagan ensured that women received property titles worth ₹6 lakh to ₹15 lakh, depending on the region. Additionally, 11 schemes were dedicated exclusively to women, supporting them from birth to old age.

Women in Leadership

Jagan’s administration reserved 50% of nominated posts and contracts for women, surpassing promises with 51% of such positions allocated to them. Examples include:

• 586 of 1,154 corporation director posts.
• 102 of 202 market yard chairman posts.
• 688 of 1,356 political appointee posts.

Jagan appointed an SC woman, Mekathoti Sucharita, as the state’s first female Home Minister, setting a precedent that Chandrababu later followed by appointing Anitha. Other notable appointments included Neelam Sawhney as the state’s first Chief Secretary and Election Commissioner, and Zakia Khanam, a Muslim woman, as Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council.

A Litany of Atrocities Against Women

Since the coalition government assumed power, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a disturbing rise in crimes against women and girls. Below is a partial list of incidents from June 2024 to April 2025:

• 11.06.2024: Gang rape of a six-year-old girl at a festival in Alluri Sitharama Raju district.
• 21.06.2024: Rape and murder of a 21-year-old woman in Bapatla district.
• 24.06.2024: Suicide of a YSRCP worker’s wife due to TDP harassment in East Godavari district.
• 28.06.2024: Rape of a minor girl in Bapatla district.
• 31.06.2024: TDP leaders assault two women in Home Minister Anitha’s constituency, Anakapalli.
• 07.07.2024: Rape and murder of a nine-year-old tribal girl in Nandyal district; the victim’s body remains missing.
• 16.07.2024: Sexual assault on a Dalit girl in a Visakhapatnam hotel.
• 02.08.2024: Gang rape of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Tirupati, followed by her murder.
• 28.08.2024: Rape of a mentally challenged girl by three youths in Nandyal district.
• 03.09.2024: Secret cameras found in female students’ washrooms at a Krishna district engineering college linked to TDP affiliates.
• 14.10.2024: Gang rape of two women in Sri Satya Sai district after tying up male family members.
• 16.02.2025: Acid attack on a woman by a TDP leader’s son in Annamayya district.
• 20.03.2025: Gang rape of a Dalit girl in Gannavaram.

These incidents, among others, underscore the coalition government’s failure to protect women, with many cases involving TDP affiliates or occurring in areas under their influence.

Conclusion

While YS Jagan’s administration prioritized women’s empowerment and safety, the current coalition government stands accused of neglecting these issues. By resorting to diversionary tactics, toxic rhetoric, and false narratives, Chandrababu Naidu and his allies are seen as undermining women’s dignity for political gain. The question remains: who truly upholds women’s honor—Jagan or the coalition?