YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president, has accused the current Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, of imposing an authoritarian “Red Book Constitution,” creating emergency-like conditions across the state. Speaking in Nellore after visiting jailed former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy and the family of former MLA Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy, Jagan condemned the government’s tactics, alleging they are sowing “poisonous seeds” that will grow into destructive trees if left unchecked. He urged Naidu to reconsider his approach and warned that those perpetrating injustices will face legal consequences in the future.
Restrictions on Political Movement
Why the Curbs on My Tours?
Jagan questioned the
government’s imposition of stringent restrictions on his movements, asking if meeting his party members is a crime. He highlighted the deployment of thousands of police personnel, barricades, and even the digging up of roads to prevent supporters from attending his programs. “Is it wrong for a political leader to meet his party members? Why are roads being dug up to stop my supporters? Such deplorable conditions may not exist anywhere else in the world, except under Chandrababu’s rule,” he said.
Unprecedented Police Overreach Jagan described the heavy police presence, including over 2,000 officers and senior officials like DSPs and a DIG, deployed not for his security but to block his supporters. He accused the government of fearing public backlash due to its failures, stating, “Chandrababu is scared of a single opposition leader. Digging roads to stop people is a historic low unique to him.”
Attacks on YSRCP Leaders
- Harassment of Kakani Govardhan Reddy
Jagan highlighted the case of former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy, who has been jailed for 64 days and faces 14 cases. “Every time he gets bail in one case, another is slapped on him,” Jagan said, calling the charges baseless. Examples include cases filed for forwarding media content on WhatsApp, criticizing a TDP MLA, supporting protests by construction workers over sand scarcity, and even a reopened case from the 2024 elections involving liquor distribution, despite it being under Election Commission oversight at the time. Jagan also pointed out a case accusing Kakani of illegal quartz mining, despite a vigilance report confirming no such activity occurred in the cited location.
Assault on Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy’s Home Jagan condemned the violent attack on the home of former MLA Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy, a six-time legislator. He recounted how 80 intoxicated individuals armed with rods and sticks vandalized the house, terrorizing Prasanna’s 83-year-old mother. “If Prasanna had been home, they would have killed him. Such despicable politics has never been seen before,” Jagan said, warning that retaliatory attacks could destabilize the state’s law and order if this trend continues.
Governance Failures and Public Deception
Collapse of Public Services
Jagan criticized the Naidu government for dismantling welfare schemes and failing to deliver on promises like the “Super Six” and “Super Seven.” He listed several grievances:
• Education: Programs like Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena are stalled, with six quarters of dues pending, forcing students to drop out. The Nadu-Nedu school improvement initiative has been halted, and English medium education and TOEFL classes have been scrapped.
• Healthcare: Aarogyasri services are non-functional, with hospitals refusing treatment due to ₹4,200 crore in unpaid dues. Aarogya Aasara is also defunct.
• Agriculture: Farmers lack minimum support prices, free crop insurance, and investment support under Rythu Bharosa, leaving them vulnerable to distress and suicides.
Rampant Corruption
Jagan accused the government of fostering widespread corruption, citing:
• Liquor Mafia: TDP MLAs allegedly control illegal liquor sales, with belt shops charging above MRP and operating illicit permit rooms, facilitated by police and officials taking bribes.
• Sand and Mining Looting: Illegal sand and quartz mining is rampant, with local TDP leaders like Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy (VPR) allegedly involved, diverting profits to Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh.
• Gambling and Extortion: Gambling clubs flourish, and industries face extortion, with production halted if payments to MLAs and police are not made.
• Land Grabs: Fertile lands are leased for nominal rates (₹1 per acre) for 30–40 years, benefiting TDP cronies.
Political Vendetta Against YSRCP
Targeting YSRCP Leaders
Jagan listed several YSRCP leaders facing false cases and harassment:
• Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy (four-time MLA), jailed.
• Nandigam Suresh (Dalit MP), imprisoned for 190 days.
• Jogi Ramesh’s son Rajeev, jailed.
• Vallabhaneni Vamsi, Peddireddi Mithun Reddy, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Kodali Nani, Perni Nani, Anil Kumar Yadav, and others, targeted with fabricated charges.
• Even family members, like the sons of senior leaders Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and YV Subba Reddy, face persecution.
Suppressing Dissent
Jagan alleged that the “Red Book Constitution” is designed to silence dissent, with thousands of cases filed against YSRCP workers and supporters for questioning injustices or being active on social media. He cited an instance where a TDP MLA’s derogatory remarks against former MLA Roja went unpunished, while YSRCP leaders face cases for minor criticisms.
A Call for Accountability
Warning to Naidu and Officials Jagan warned that the “poisonous seeds” sown by Naidu’s administration will bear consequences. “You won’t be Chief Minister forever. In three years, when our government returns, we will hold everyone accountable for their injustices. No one will escape, even if they retire or flee abroad. We will bring them back and ensure they face the law,” he declared.
Urging a Change in Approach Jagan urged Naidu and complicit officials to reform their ways, warning that continued oppression will lead to severe repercussions. “Wake up now, or you will bear the responsibility for what follows,” he said.
Conclusion
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s scathing critique paints a grim picture of Andhra Pradesh under Chandrababu Naidu’s rule, alleging a systematic campaign to suppress opposition, dismantle welfare, and foster corruption. His call for accountability and promise of future justice underscore a deepening political rift, with the YSRCP vowing to fight back against what they term an “emergency-like” regime.
