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Jagan suppressing people with his J-turns: TDP

2020-06-05T12:20:56+00:00

AMARAVATI: Telugu Desam Party MLC G. Deepak Reddy on Friday blamed Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy for 'cheating' the voters of Andhra Pradesh by turning away from scores of his promises, assurances and commitments made to people at the time of elections.

He asserted that CM Jagan Reddy has now become seen as a master of J-turns by virtue of his deliberate attempt to suppress the people if they are asking about the implementation of his election promises.

Addressing a virtual press conference here, Mr. Deepak Reddy said the CM went back on his great oath to bring Special Status by taming and subduing the Central Government with the threat of resignations of all 25 MPs of AP. After adorning the CM chair, Jagan Reddy literally forgot about his vow and not at all talking about the Special Status which he once advocated as the only panacea for all the problems and ills of the unjustly separated Andhra Pradesh state without a capital of its own.

The TDP leader listed out over 100 such commitments on which the CM has turned back, thereby leaving the people in a state of crisis and deepening troubles now. Because of Jagan Reddy's spectacular performance in breaking his own promises, another word called J-turn has entered the dictionary as a synonym for U-turn. In a very objectionable manner, the CM attended the inauguration of Kaleswaram irrigation project in Telangana which he described as a curse that would reduce AP into a desert when he was Opposition leader of the state.

Mr. Deepak Reddy recalled how the Sakshi media and Jagan Reddy family accused the Reliance Group of conspiring the death of YS Rajasekhara Reddy in the past. But now, CM Jagan totally forgot about that and gave a warm welcome to Reliance Chairman and even offered his party Rajya Sabha ticket to a Reliance top person. Perhaps, this was the biggest J-turn taken by Jagan Reddy in utter disregard to his own conscience and that of the people of the state.

Stating that people were being burdened with taxes and high prices, Mr. Deepak Reddy deplored that Jagan promised not to raise current charges but now the consumers were suffering heavily in view of the changed slabs and abnormal bills. RTC, petrol and other prices have also gone up. While in opposition in the past, Jagan Reddy supported an Assembly resolution for Amaravati Capital City but once he got into power, the YSR son started demolishing and shifting Capital City out of sheer political vendetta and personal greed.

Jagan Govt destroyed environment: Naidu

2020-06-05T10:53:44+00:00

AMARAVATI: TDP National President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday gave a call to the people to agitate against the Jaganmohan Reddy Government's 'wilful destruction' of the environment in the State in the last one year.

On the occasion of World Environment Day celebrations today, Mr. Naidu said the wanton felling of mangrove forests at Kakinanda and indiscriminate sand mining were examples of YCP rule's destructive activities. A large number of trees were destroyed in a radius of many kilometres around LG Polymers following the gas leak tragedy. Adequate steps were needed to revive and protect the greenery there now.

The TDP chief deplored that even now, victims were dying weeks after the poisonous gas leak at LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam. Instead of taking strong measures to prevent pollution of the environment, the YCP regime was encouraging destruction of the environment in the surroundings of populated areas.

Mr. Naidu recalled how the previous TDP Government implemented Neeru Chettu and urban forestry in a big way. Farm ponds were dug up all over to recharge the groundwater table. Forests were developed over 2,141 sq kms. 'Wealth from Waste' recycling plants were opened and LED bulbs were used in a big way. Thanks to such protective programmes, AP got national awards in environment protection programmes.

'Betrayer of Dalits' is Jagan, not Chandrababu : Varla

2020-06-05T10:47:27+00:00

AMARAVATI: TDP Politburo Member Varla Ramaiah on Friday strongly hit back at the ruling YCP criticism, saying that it was CM Jaganmohan Reddy who was the true 'betrayer of Dalits' in Andhra Pradesh politics but not Chandrababu Naidu.

The TDP senior leader said after coming to power, CM Jagan Reddy has totally ignored the promises made for Dalit welfare and greatly weakened their welfare corporations while the YCP weaker sections Ministers turned into silent spectators.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Ramaiah asserted that Chandrababu has actually ensure enough justice to the Dalit communities by spending over Rs. 40,257 Cr for their development programmes during the TDP regime. Both Jagan Reddy and his father YSR cheated weaker sections with their false promises and non-stop plunder of the wealth of Andhra Pradesh. If Jagan has respect for Dalits, he should not have even thought of shifting Amaravati Capital City.

Mr. Ramaiah pointed out that the previous TDP rule spent Rs. 11,128 Cr for SC Sub-plan works during 2018-`19 but Jagan Government has not spent a single rupee in the past one year of its mass destruction. While TDP acquired and distributed 3,000 acres under land purchase scheme to Dalit beneficiaries, the YCP Government took to a reverse path and forcibly took back 4,000 acres from poor families. Even the LIDCAP lands given by TDP rule were being taken back.

The TDP leader deplored that the Rs. 100-Cr Ambedkar Smriti Vanam project was shelved without minimum respect for the Dalit communities and voters. Amaravati Capital was located in between six SC assembly constituencies but Jagan Reddy did not bother to shift it out of political vendetta and personal greed.

Mr. Ramaiah recalled how nearly 150 Dalit families were thrown out of their villages by YCP miscreants. When Chandrababu Naidu planned to visit their villages to give moral support, the YCP Government misused the police force and locked the gate of Naidu residence in a very sadistic and undemocratic manner. In the last one year, YCP leaders continued their assaults and attacks on Dalits who included Dr Sudhakar who was suspended and harassed in a very humiliating manner. Ex MP Harsha Kumar was put in jail for 48 days while the Andhra University professor was harassed.

Twin threats to AP from YCP scams and COVID 2nd wave: TDP

2020-06-05T06:19:38+00:00

AMARAVATI: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has expressed concern that Andhra Pradesh would be left devastated if a second wave of Coronavirus outbreak hits the State which was already suffering on account of the ruling YSR Congress Party excesses in a variety of corruption scams.

The Opposition party said if predictions on the second outbreak come true, the already ailing State economy would be the worst hit with its growth rate likely to slip into negative mode, touching -10 per cent. On the other hand, the Guntur market has become like a Koyambedu virus cluster threatening to spread infections to remote interior areas in coastal districts. The Government should place special focus on preventive measures at all the markets in the State considering the volatility of the situation.

The TDP has held a virtual politburo meeting presided by party National President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Senior leaders took part from both the Telugu States. They suggested AP Government to take advantage of the 'One Nation and One Agricultural Market' programme launched by the Modi Government at the Centre to enable farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country. The Central Governemnt was now bringing amendments to the Electricity Act mainly because of the thoughtless review of Power Purchase Agreements by the Jagan Reddy Government in AP.

Stating that welfare took a backseat, the TDP senior leaders said YCP leaders were making tall claims though the cash transfer benefit was not given to two-thirds of the total 6 lakh drivers in the state. Even these one-third beneficiaries were being made to pay back in the form of penalties and fines. The DWCRA women members were deploring that they have received far less amounts towards interest waiver and it was very nominal compared to the promises made by the ruling party leaders.

The TDP decided to hold its online politburo meeting every month to discuss the burning issues confronting the people. Similar periodical meetings would be held with the party elected representatives, incharges, district level leaders and mandal leaders. District level political coordination committees will be set up soon to step up the party activities on people's issues.

The TDP leaders pointed out that the YCP Government's multiple scams in sand, water, cement and so on were getting exposed by the ruling party's MLAs and MPs themselves. The ruling party leaders themselves were calling Jagan Reddy a fraud, a bogus person and a bluff master. One YCP MLA said that not a single rupee worth development took place under Jagan rule so far, another legislator complained against vicious sale of water from a huge reservoir project. A YCP MP deplored that forcible collections were being taken for sanctions of free Government house sites to poor people. One ruling party MLA blamed the Government for sitting silent while sand lorries were getting disappeared between the sand reaches and the stock points.

Expressing concern over supply of liquor which is injurious to health, the TDP leaders said the rates of this harmful liquor were arbitrarily increased which was forcing the poor people to take spirit. It was unfortunate that 7 persons died after taking the surgical spirit. The poor people's lives were falling in danger because of the indifferent and atrocious policies of YCP rule. While National Green Tribunal has blamed human error for LG Polymers gas tragedy which left 14 persons killed, the Chief Minister and his ministers continued to support the company which was heinous and condemnable.

The TDP accused ruling YCP of launching attacks and filing false cases against 800 of their party activities in the State. Over eight TDP activists were murdered while seven others committed suicides. About 225 BC families, 42 minorities, 78 dalit, 11 ST and 228 OC families came under attacks and harassment by YCP in one year. Even now, mango trees were cut down at Brahmasamudram in Anantapur district.

Jagan Tughlaq rule paled before Chandrababu golden regime: Yanamala

2020-06-04T11:11:38+00:00

AMARAVATI: Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Thursday termed it as a great misfortune of the Andhra Pradesh people to have got an inexperienced Chief Minister like Jaganmohan Reddy who does not have basic understanding of how a state or country's economy works.

The TDP leader said while the previous TDP regime achieved 11.02 per cent double digit growth rate in 2018-19, the present Government reduced it to single digit 8 per cent in the last one year with its self-destructive and debilitating economic policies.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said AP emerged as a favourite destination for national and international investments but the State's image took a severe beating since Jagan Reddy began his Tughlaq rule with demolitions, cancellations, atrocities and destructions. Highest priority was given to crippling of systems and institutions under YCP rule. Just like Tughlaq, Jagan Reddy has started shifting Capital City and ended up lapping up severe public backlash.

The Opposition Leader in Council said that the previous TDP rule achieved a per capita income of Rs. 93,000 to Rs. 1.64 lakh in 2018-19. In just five years between 2014 and 2019, AP witnessed rapid strides in development. All sections of people led happy lives during Chandrababu regime just like history remembers the golden age of the Guptas in Indian history. All sectors of the AP economy witnessed growth and prosperity.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu blamed the failed economic policies of Jagan Reddy for the 'increasing debt burdens' on AP people now. Just like Tughlaq, Jagan Reddy has also emptied the state treasury and ripped apart the economy beyond repair. Jagan Reddy regime brought Rs. 80.000 Cr loans in a year as against Rs. 24,000 Cr yearly average of TDP regime. AP used to be in 3rd place in its contributions to the country's GDP but now it has slipped to 9th place.

The TDP leader asked how the State could get income when the ruling YCP leaders were exploiting and plundering all the natural resources from sand to minerals. The police machinery was weakened and subjugated to protect the ruling party mafia. The orders and judgements of the courts were not being adhered to. The Government money was being distributed to the YCP activists by giving them volunteer posts. The YCP plans were to hijack elections by using its money and muscle power.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu deplored that even the poorer sections were facing lots of problems because Jagan Reddy was implementing his grandfather Raja Reddy Constitution but not Ambedkar's Constitution. The Dalit doctor Sudhakar was humiliated, ex MP Harsha Kumar was jailed, Andhra University Professor was harassed and so on.

YCP luring and looting poor people in house sites scam: Naidu

2020-06-04T10:09:16+00:00

AMARAVATI: Telugu Desam Party National President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday slammed the ruling YCP leaders for 'luring and looting' by collecting commissions from the gullible poor families in the name of distribution of free house sites.

He said different rates were being fixed at Rs. 30,000, Rs. 60,000 and up to Rs. 1.5 lakh to sanction these house sites while lesser amounts would be collected only if the beneficiaries have the blessings of YCP local leaders. With this, the YCP went down in history as the only party which has resorted to wholesale corruption even in welfare programmes aimed at improving living conditions of the poor families.

Mr. Naidu, in a series of tweets, strongly objected to YCP leaders' looting spree by collecting different amounts of commissions in different villages and areas without the least sympathy for the people who are already suffering on account of Coronavirus lockdowns. In every assembly segment, hundreds of crores worth scams were taking place in the name of house sites. A fact-finding committee has reported that Rs. 400 Cr fraud was committed in the 'aava' (low-lying) lands acquisition.

The TDP chief said lands not worth even Rs. 7 lakh per acre were being bought by the Government at Rs. 45 lakh to Rs. 70 lakh with the margin amounts going into the pockets of YCP leaders there. The total land acquisition for house sites was turned into a massive scam. On the other hand, the houses already completed during the TDP regime were not handed over to the beneficiaries but they were converted into COVID quarantine centres out of sheer political vengeance.

Mr. Naidu said that the previous TDP Government sanctioned 29.52 lakh houses and completed 9.1 lakh houses while house warming was done in three phases for 8 lakh houses. Another 20.41 lakh houses were in various stages of completion. At that time, TDP's 'mass house-warming' programme became a model for the entire country. Also, the TDP rule gave house sites to 4.02 lakh people in over 7,475 acres. Lakhs of house site pattas were given in Visakhapatnam and other parts of North Coastal Andhra and also Rayalaseema. But, all these benefits and houses were stopped to poor people reflecting YCP's unchecked political harassment at every step.

Jagan retrograde policies paralyzed AP people: TDP

2020-06-04T08:03:41+00:00

AMARAVATI: TDP former MLA Yerapatineni Srinivasa Rao on Thursday accused the Jaganmohan Reddy government of paralysing and incapacitating Andhra Pradesh in all aspects by implementing anti-people and backward policies in the last one year.

He asserted that Jagan's rule mirrored how an administration would look like if a person with a criminal record and nature comes to power to rule the people.

Addressing a virtual press conference here, the TDP leader deplored that under Jagan rule, doctors in the state were going to jail while IAS and IPS officers were standing in front of the courts. The teachers, who should mould the future of young generations, were doing duties at the liquor shops while farmers were carrying out protests over loss of crops. Construction workers, coolies, artisans, weavers, tailors and others were sleeping with empty stomachs for lack of food.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the ruling party leaders were making personal and baseless comments against the TDP only to divert the attention of the people from the serious blows given by the courts to the AP Government. YCP MLA Ambati Rambabu was talking about the age of Chandrababu Naidu. Can Rambabu climb the steps of Tirupati temple along with Chandrababu Naidu. The censures in the courts were clear evidence of inefficiencies and failures of the YCP.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao hit back at the comments of YCP leaders, saying that Lokesh has no experience like Jagan Reddy to form suitcase companies in order to loot the public money and amass illegal wealth. He strongly warned that if Jagan Reddy goes to jail like Sasikala of Tamil Nadu, then the so-called YCP powerful leaders would become orphans overnight.

The former MLA criticised the YCP, saying that all those leaders surrounding Jagan Reddy now were only opportunists. Dharmana Prasada Rao, Botsa Satyanarayana and others once severely criticised CM Jagan. If YCP speaks needless things about Chandrababu and Lokesh, the TDP would tear the ruling party leaders apart in future. In America, President Trump had to go into a bunker because of raging protests from the people there. A time would come soon that AP people's wrath and agitations would drive Jagan Reddy into a bunker.

Recover colours expenditures from YCP and its favoured officials: Naidu

2020-06-03T11:10:17+00:00

AMARAVATI: Former Chief Minister and AP Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday demanded the YCP Government to disclose how much public money it had wasted for applying its party flag colours to the panchayat offices and government buildings in Andhra Pradesh till now.

He termed the latest Supreme Court order as evidence of the adamant attitude and flagrant violations of the Constitution and the rule of law by the Jagan Reddy Government.

In a statement here, the TDP chief accused the Government of committing one violation after another in utter indifference to even the courts' orders for the sake of seeing its party colours on public premises. First, they applied three colours of the ruling party. When the High Court ordered for changing the colours, the Government approached the Supreme Court which upheld the High Court order. Again, the Government came back to the High Court and applied a fourth colour insignificantly at the bottom.

Mr. Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that the YCP Government dragged on the issue with its misinterpretations and untenable arguments in the courts. At one point, the High Court had taken a serious view and ordered the Government to remove all the four colours. Even then, there was no compliance of the court's order. The court even ordered for the appearance of the Chief Secretary, Secretary and the Commissioner. Now, the Supreme Court ordered for the removal of the four colours within four weeks. All this was because of the dull-witted and thoughtless policies of the ruling party that reached a peak now.

Mr. Naidu deplored that crores of public money was being wastefully spent for implementation of useless programmes being taken up by the YCP. For arguing in the Amaravati Capital City case, the Government paid Rs. 5 Cr to the advocate. It was not known how much they had spent for the colours' cases in different courts. It was evident that hundreds of crores public funds were spent for applying three colours and then adding one more colour. Now, additional expenditure would be there for removing these colours in accordance with the latest court orders.

The TDP chief demanded that all the expenditure already made and to be made by the Government on colours should be recovered from the ruling YCP and those officers who were blindly carrying out its irrelevant orders. The people of AP should not be punished for the dumb mistakes that were being made by the ruling party. It is pitiable that the Government and officials were facing contempt issues in both the High Court and the Supreme Court.

Mr. Naidu asked whether CM Jaganmohan Reddy had taken One Chance from the voters in the 2019 election only to waste public money on programmes like YCP colours on public offices and to make the state bankrupt. The inexperience and inefficiency of YCP Government was evident from how it has been making countless mistakes in order to cover one wrong deed. The ruling party's non-stop failures in all aspects were proving to be a big threat to the future of Andhra Pradesh.

The former Chief Minister said no leader has ever thought of applying his party colours on government buildings in the country's history till now. This Government has no minimum understanding that the law would not accept such party colours considering the fact that people cutting across political and social affiliations visit to avail services at government offices.

Jagan circus rule crippled Andhra Pradesh: Naidu

2020-06-03T06:33:22+00:00

AMARAVATI: Telugu Desam Party National President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday blamed the Jaganmohan Reddy Government's 'inefficient and atrocious' rule for the steep decline in the overall growth rate of Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP chief recalled how Jagan Reddy's chaotic regime has driven away investments not only from AP but from India as a whole. YCP leaders' atrocities and highhanded behaviour have made even the national media refer to Andhra Pradesh as 'Bihar of South' in terms of lawlessness. Some were even calling YCP unlawful activities as 'Government terrorism' in AP.

Mr. Naidu said in a tweet here AP witnessed rapid strides in development under the previous TDP rule though there was Rs. 16,000 Cr deficit budget due to State bifurcation. Successively for five years, the State recorded double digit growth rate and became a favourite destination for both domestic and global investments.

Stating that TDP turned AP into a number 1 state, the former CM said his five-year rule helped the State get 667 awards for its brilliant performance in different sectors. From that peak level performance and achievements, Andhra Pradesh has now fallen down and being mocked nationally and internationally for its 'useless and helpless' regime.

Mr. Naidu deplored that for the sake of their shares and collections, the ruling YCP leaders have harassed and chased away the investors. Once, AP used to be a major attraction at the Davos Economic Forum but now it is seen as no safe haven because of government harassment and bullying victimisation.

The TDP chief asserted that the people would be safe and happy only if the rulers behave responsibly in accordance with the laws of the land. The State as a whole would become a 'laughing stock' in the eyes of the world just for the inabilities and inefficiencies of the elected present day rulers.

Mr. Naidu tweeted a video which highlighted contradictions between Chandrababu's development-centric rule and the present anti-growth and anti-investment regime of Jaganmohan Reddy. Thanks to vision and statesmanship of Mr. Naidu, the World Bank announced Rs. 3,324 Cr financial support to Amaravati Capital City construction but the global bank has withdrawn from the massive project after Jagan Reddy took over the reins of the government. Also, the Asia Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) objected to Jagan Reddy's autocratic reviews and withdraw Rs. 1,380 Cr support to different projects which were in various stages of construction and development.

The video recalled how multi-national companies made a beeline to make investments in Andhra Pradesh on seeing the manner in which Chandrababu Naidu was shaping the State by making it number one in 'Ease of Doing Business'. After 2019, the scene has reversed and even the national media passed critical remarks how a prime accused in money laundering cases became Chief Minister for Andhra Pradesh.