Tadepalli, Sep 23: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday held a meeting with former public representatives, senior leaders, party functionaries and key activists from Greater Visakhapatnam at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli.
Addressing the gathering, Jagan said the people had already begun to recognise the differences between the previous YSRCP government and the present coalition government. He claimed that his government had restored credibility to political promises by treating its election manifesto as a commitment and implementing 99 per cent of its promises.
Jagan highlighted the changes introduced by the previous YSRCP government in the education sector. He said government schools were transformed under the Nadu-Nedu programme and equipped with infrastructure comparable to private schools.
He also highlighted the Nadu-Nedu programme for government hospitals, recruitment to vacant posts, village clinics and the family doctor system.
He claimed that the shortage of super-specialists in government hospitals was significantly lower in Andhra Pradesh than the national average during his government’s tenure.
Jagan also recalled the YSRCP government’s initiatives for farmers, including the establishment of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), village secretariats and the volunteer system.
Jagan said these measures were implemented despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said affected roughly half of the previous government’s five-year tenure.
Jagan alleged that governance had now been “reversed” and criticised the coalition government over issues including corruption, availability of liquor and ganja, and alleged delays or demands for bribes in accessing government services.
He further alleged irregularities in the DSC sports quota recruitment process and criticised what he described as favourable media coverage of the government.
Speaking specifically about Visakhapatnam, Jagan listed several projects and initiatives undertaken during the YSRCP government’s tenure.
He referred to the development of the Bhogapuram airport, the process of establishing the Adani Data Centre, distribution of house-site pattas to around 1.30 lakh beneficiaries, improvements at King George Hospital and the supply of drinking water to the Uddanam region to address kidney-related health concerns.
Jagan alleged that the coalition government had shown little respect for democratic institutions and cited the changes made in Visakhapatnam’s municipal leadership as an example.
He urged party leaders and activists to remain prepared for local body elections and alleged that the ruling coalition could attempt to use official machinery during the electoral process.
Jagan also made allegations concerning land associated with GITAM University, claiming that around 55 acres had been encroached upon and subsequently given to favoured individuals. He alleged that the land was worth thousands of crores of rupees.
Jagan urged YSRCP leaders and activists to strengthen their presence at the grassroots level and focus on people’s problems.
Jagan also raised concerns over water supply in Visakhapatnam and linked the city’s reported water shortages to decisions concerning the Polavaram project. He argued that greater storage capacity at Polavaram could help address water requirements and criticised the coalition government’s handling of water resources.
Concluding his address, Jagan called upon party leaders and activists to reach out to people, fight for their problems and remain firm in their political efforts, assuring them of the party’s support.
