YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a blistering attack on the Chandrababu Naidu–led coalition government, terming the privatisation of government medical colleges a “massive scam” that strikes at the very foundation of public healthcare and social justice. He categorically warned that once YSRCP returns to power, all such decisions will be scrapped, and those responsible for the scam will be sent to jail within two months.
Addressing party leaders after meeting the Hon’ble Governor at Lok Bhavan, YS Jagan said the government must finally acknowledge public anger and reverse its decision on medical colleges. He pointed out that Chandrababu Naidu’s governance has reduced all systems to dysfunction, with welfare schemes at zero, institutions weakened, and public trust eroded.
One Crore Signatures: A historic people’s verdict
YS Jagan described the One Crore Signature Campaign against medical college privatisation as a historic public movement never witnessed before in the state’s history. He revealed that 1,04,11,136 people voluntarily signed the petitions, providing full details including phone numbers, fearlessly expressing their opposition.
“These signatures are not symbolic. They are a democratic referendum,” he said. The campaign began on October 7, with extensive public outreach through Rachabanda programmes in every village, ward, and town between October 10 and December 10. Constituency-level rallies were held on November 12, followed by large district rallies on December 15, after which the signature documents were transported to the party central office. On Thursday, the documents were taken in 26 vehicles to Lok Bhavan and formally shown to the Governor.
Grand success built by grassroots cadre
YS Jagan credited the success of the movement to the disciplined and committed efforts of party cadres at every level—from village workers to MLAs, MPs, district presidents, regional coordinators, and senior leaders.
“This kind of determined, people-driven pressure has perhaps never happened before in the state. The government must be forced to bend,” he said, thanking every worker and citizen who participated.
Chandrababu’s falling graph and Governance failure
Reacting sharply to Chandrababu Naidu’s recent remarks blaming collectors for his declining popularity, YS Jagan said bluntly: “It’s not the collectors’ graph that has fallen—it’s Chandrababu’s.”
He noted that in 18 months and two budgets, the coalition government has delivered nothing but cancellations, broken promises, and collapse of systems. Super Six and Super Seven promises turned into deceptions, welfare schemes were scrapped, and public services deteriorated. “In nearly two years, can this government point to even one good thing done for the people? The answer is a big zero,” he said.
Why govt must run Schools, Hospitals, and Transport
YS Jagan explained that governments exist to prevent private exploitation in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and public transport. If schools, hospitals, and RTC buses are left entirely to private players, the poor and middle class would be crushed. He remarked that Chandrababu Naidu appears to be the only Chief Minister who questions why governments should run schools and hospitals. “If we had not merged RTC employees into government service earlier, even RTC would have been sold off,” he said, adding that he had even heard discussions about privatising policing, a dangerous thought for democracy and law and order.
One Medical College, countless public benefits
Explaining the importance of government medical colleges, YS Jagan said a medical college is not just about MBBS seats. It brings free multi-specialty and super-specialty healthcare to an entire district, eliminating private exploitation. “When a government medical college and teaching hospital come up, people stop going to private hospitals. Treatment becomes free, accessible, and ethical,” he said, adding that districts like Kadapa now have healthcare hubs serving a 70-kilometre radius.
PPP Model: selling colleges and Paying salaries: A Bigger Scam
Calling the PPP model “criminal”, YS Jagan exposed what he called an even bigger scam, the government plans to hand over medical colleges to private parties but continue paying staff salaries from public funds. “One medical college requires at least Rs. 5 crore per month in salaries, Rs. 60 crore per year, Rs. 120 crore for two years. So not only are colleges being handed over cheaply, the government is also paying private operators hundreds of crores. Is there a bigger scam than this?” he asked.
Warning of legal and political battle ahead
YS Jagan made it clear that the fight will not stop with the Governor. After formally submitting the signatures, YSRCP will approach the courts, ready with affidavits and documentary proof of public opposition. “If Chandrababu still doesn’t change his mind, we will not sit quietly. Protests will intensify again at constituency and district levels,” he declared.
‘Mother of all scams’ will not go unpunished
Issuing a stern warning, YS Jagan said: “If this loot continues, everyone involved in this scam will be behind bars within two months of us returning to power. This will be proven as the mother of all scams.” He concluded by asserting that Chandrababu Naidu will inevitably face a harsh lesson for ignoring public interest, undermining free healthcare, and attempting to sell off institutions meant for the poor. “This struggle will continue, on the streets, in courts, and among the people,” YS Jagan affirmed.
