Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said governance in Andhra Pradesh has collapsed under Chandrababu Naidu and directed YSRCP MLAs and MLCs to strongly raise public issues during the Assembly and Council sessions. Holding a meeting with party legislators and Council members at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, YS Jagan said the party had fought for people’s issues in the past and must now fight with even greater force.
YSRCP denied Principal Opposition status
YS Jagan said the government is refusing to recognise YSRCP as the principal opposition because such recognition would give the Leader of the Opposition the right to adequate speaking time in the Assembly. Chandrababu does not want to give that right, and that is why the principal opposition status is being denied, he said.
He said there is very little the party can do inside the Assembly when the government refuses to give democratic space. However, he made it clear that he would hold press meets with facts, evidence and documents on every issue raised by the government in the Assembly and show the people the other side of the coin. In the Legislative Council, where YSRCP has strength, members must be fully prepared and fight strongly on behalf of the people, he said.
DSC 2025: Lokesh must resign
YS Jagan said DSC 2025 is a major scam and that YSRCP has carried out nearly ten types of programmes over the past 74 days exposing leakages and irregularities. He said Education Minister Nara Lokesh must resign, taking responsibility for the DSC irregularities.
He said all evidence relating to DSC has already been placed before the public. An outsourcing employee working in the DSC process secured first rank, and changes in merit lists have also come to light, he said. The full extent of the DSC leakage must be established, and a CBI investigation is necessary, he added.
YS Jagan questioned why the government is refusing to order a CBI inquiry. When the Education Minister is Chandrababu’s own son, there can be no impartiality in a State government investigation, he said. Only a CBI inquiry can bring out the truth.
He said irregularities were opened through Government Orders issued in the name of sports quota appointments. Jobs were given without candidates writing the competitive examination or even appearing for the DSC exam. After that, the GOs were changed, which itself proves that the earlier decision was wrong, he said. When such irregularities and evidence are clearly visible, the Education Minister must resign.
Fee Reimbursement and Vasathi Deevena dues
YS Jagan said fee reimbursement has been pending for 13 quarters. At nearly Rs. 700 crore per quarter, the pending amount comes to around Rs. 9,100 crore. Another Rs. 3,300 crore is pending under Vasathi Deevena, taking the combined dues under fee reimbursement and Vasathi Deevena to nearly Rs. 12,400 crore.
He said the government has paid only Rs. 2,900 crore, while more than Rs. 9,000 crore remains pending. The fee reimbursement scheme, which changed the future of BCs and poor students, is being weakened, he said. He directed MLCs to strongly question the government in the Council, insist on a discussion, and fight on behalf of students.
Farmers in crisis
YS Jagan said farmers across the State are facing severe distress as no crop is getting remunerative prices. Farmers were encouraged to sow crops, but after they invested nearly 40% of the cost, the government is now saying it cannot provide water, he said.
He said the free crop insurance system that stood by farmers has been removed. The system of providing input subsidy to farmers has also been dismantled. Farmers are in deep crisis, and their issues must be raised strongly in the Council, he said.
New PPP Policy: ‘Andhra Pradesh for Sale’
YS Jagan strongly criticised the new PPP policy, saying it looks like “Andhra Pradesh for Sale.” Under the policy, the government says it will provide viability gap funding for PPP projects and even pay interest on loans taken by private entities, he said.
He said the government is offering concessions to private companies and then allowing them to collect user charges from the people. After giving every benefit to private players, the burden is finally being pushed on the public. This is nothing but “Baadude Baadudu” on the people, he said.
YS Jagan said public services such as drinking water, schools and hospitals are also being brought under the PPP framework. If everything is handed over to private players, what is the need for a government, he asked. Is the government there only to commit scams and loot, he questioned.
Disha Act, Protests and Cases
YS Jagan said DSC irregularities, farmers’ issues, the PPP policy, repeal of the Disha Act, and cases against BC leaders are among the key issues to be raised. He said repealing the Disha Act reflects the government’s disregard for women’s safety.
He said even in the land of Mahatma Gandhi, cases are being filed against those who hold peaceful protests. Across the State, YSRCP’s peaceful protests are being suppressed through cases. Even the freedom to protest peacefully is being denied, he said. The party will definitely approach the courts against this repression.
He said the government is filing unjust cases out of vengeance because YSRCP is questioning its failures.
BC leaders Targeted with False Cases
YS Jagan said BC leaders are being specifically targeted with political vengeance. Referring to Chintada Ravi, he said an incident that never happened was distorted as though it had taken place, and illegal cases were filed against him leading to his arrest.
He said fake evidence is being created for cases. False cases were filed against Mustafa, illegal cases were filed against Virupakshi, and a false case was filed against Karumuru Sunil. Everyone who questions the government is being booked in false cases and arrested, he said.
Tummati Madhava Rao for Council Deputy Chairman
YS Jagan said the post of Deputy Chairman in the Legislative Council is vacant and the process to fill it will begin. He said the party is proposing Tummati Madhava Rao for the post. He directed all YSRCP MLCs to extend full support to Madhava Rao and work in coordination to ensure that his election is conducted smoothly.
Chandrababu’s White Papers are ‘Yellow Papers’
YS Jagan dismissed Chandrababu’s white papers as “yellow papers” and documents of lies. He said the falsehoods in those white papers have already been exposed with facts and evidence, and complete details will be given to party MLAs and MLCs. YSRCP speaks only with evidence, sources and documents, he said. Whether he speaks or any party leader speaks, every point will be backed by a source. Chandrababu, however, never gives sources for his claims, he said. Telling lies is the work of the “backstabbing party,” he added.
Vision-2020 and Chandrababu’s ‘White Lies’
Referring to Vision-2020, YS Jagan recalled the visit of Swiss Minister Pascal to united Andhra Pradesh in 2000. He said the claims made by Chandrababu in the name of Vision-2020 were all “white lies.” YS Jagan said the Swiss Minister had remarked that if such statements were made in his country, such a person would be put either in jail or in a mental hospital. There is no one equal to Chandrababu in telling lies without blinking, he said, adding that Lokesh too has been trained to speak lies at the same level.
MLAs and MLCs told to prepare with evidence
YS Jagan advised MLAs and MLCs not to speak without preparation. Only when they speak after thorough groundwork will the issue reach the people strongly, he said. Content is extremely important, and every issue must be explained with facts, evidence and documents.
He said the party must decide in advance who will speak on which subject and ensure complete preparation before entering the debate.
Junior Doctors, Employees and Public Issues
The meeting also discussed the junior doctors’ strike and other public issues. YS Jagan said no section in the State, including employees, is satisfied. Old schemes have been cancelled and new schemes have turned into deception.
He said the zero-interest scheme for women has also been cancelled. Women, farmers, students and youth are all unhappy. Government schools are being closed, and the number of students in government schools is falling sharply. The figures are shocking, he said.
He also said the number of loans being provided to women through banks is declining. Before elections, the coalition had promised to implement GO No. 3 and included it in the manifesto, but now there is no mention of it. He said attempts are also being made to privatise the RTC.
YS Jagan directed party MLAs and MLCs to take up all these issues with full preparation, fight strongly for the people, and expose the scams, failures, repression and betrayal of the Chandrababu government.
