I urge everyone to think over the dire situation in AP: YS Jagan

Leader of opposition in Andhra Pradesh Assembly and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addressed a massive public gathering at Narasannapeta in Srikakulam district on Sunday.

He recalled late Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy's efforts in building the Vamsadhara project in the district.

Launching a scathing attack Chandrababu Naidu, YS Jagan said despite the TDP, along with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, being partners of the NDA in Vajpayee government, Chandrababu failed to resolve the issue.

In February 2005, Dr YSR inaugurated the Vamsadhara project and the Hiramandalam reservoir, putting an end to 55 year old dispute. In his tenure, Rs 930 crore were allotted for the project works. Of the allotted funds, Rs 720 crore were spent when he was alive.

The YSRCP chief said Chandrababu could not even complete the remaining Rs 55 crore worth project works. Instead, Chandrababu conspired to make money by escalating the project costs to Rs 420 to benefit his benami contractor CM Ramesh.

In Rajanna Rajyam, six canals, including the Jumuluru, Polaki and Bairi canals were merged into Vamsadhara. If YSRCP comes to power, the Vamsadhara and Naidupeta Barrage would be completed, he promised. Due to Chandrababu's misuse of power, 6,000 acres of land was affected. I feel proud to say that Dr YSR had built over 38,000 houses in this constituency, he added.

YS Jagan asked the locals if Chandrababu's 2014 promises of making the Rajam river a tourist attraction, drinking water to Jagannadhapuram in Narasannapeta, Ring Road, Saravakota mandal lift irrigation project, another PHC in Saravakota mandal and the railway over bridge in Janamuru mandal were implemented.

In this constituency 36 schools and 3 hostels were closed down in the last four years. YS Jagan said the YSRCP would give the 3,400 crore loss caused by cyclone Titli after coming to power. In Chandrababu Naidu's rule, the Titli cyclone incurred crop and property loss, but, not even a single rupee was given to the district. Till now, the State government released only Rs 520 crore towards relief activities.

Chandrababu's Heritage company purchases crops for a lower price from farmers and sells its products for 3-4 times the price, YS Jagan said.

In view of the expected election schedule in February and the elections in April, "I urge everyone to think over the dire situation in the State", he said.

YS Jagan said that women's self-help groups were cheated by Chandrababu. The YSRCP President said that in the name of loan waiver, Chandrababu had cheated the state to the tune of Rs 87,000 crores. It was not clear if the farmers got back the gold which they mortgaged in the banks, but they had got the bank notices for sure, he commented.

The YSRCP Chief informed the public gathering that Chandrababu had after promising to give Rs 2,000 to every household without employment. But with few months to go for polls, the TDP got away with providing Rs 1,000 per month to a few students while the 23,000 teacher posts were lying vacant in the State.

He pointed out that the women's self-help groups were also cheated and were not given loan waivers. The AP CM promised to build a house for every poor man in the state—how many houses has he built till date?" he asked.

The Polavaram project became a centre of corruption. In the last four years, only the foundation walls were built. But, the TDP leaders are claiming to have completed the construction. "Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu's relative was awarded the contract works in Polavaram project," he said.