Amaravati, Nov 14: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for taking credit for the state’s improved performance in the Access (In)Equality Index (AEI) rankings. Jagan said the achievement was the result of the welfare and development programmes implemented by the previous YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024.
In a detailed post on social media, Jagan described Chandrababu’s claims as another example of ‘credit chori’. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh improved its overall AEI ranking from 10th place in 2021 to 3rd place in 2024. According to him, the improvement was achieved during the YSRCP government’s tenure and should not be attributed to the present coalition government.
The Access (In)Equality Index report was published by OP Jindal Global University in association with the Centre for New Economic Studies (CNES). It evaluated Indian states based on five important pillars related to social and human development.
Jagan explained that the 2021 report was largely based on statistical data from the period before 2019, while the 2024 report used data covering 2021 to 2023. He argued that a comparison of the two reports clearly reflects the progress made during the YSRCP government’s five-year tenure.
Andhra Pradesh’s Performance in Key AEI Parameters
Jagan highlighted the state’s improved rankings across several important indicators.
1. Health Index: 8th to 2nd
Andhra Pradesh improved its position from 8th place in the 2021 report to 2nd place in the 2024 report. Jagan said this improvement reflected the previous government’s focus on healthcare and public welfare.
2. Socio-Economic Security: 11th to 1st
The state recorded its biggest achievement in the Socio-Economic Security category, moving from 11th place in 2021 to 1st place in 2024.
Jagan credited this progress to welfare programmes, transparent delivery of government benefits and financial support to people during difficult times. He also highlighted the support provided to industries and manufacturing sectors, which contributed to employment opportunities and social security.
3. Legal Recourse: 15th to 2nd
Andhra Pradesh also registered a major improvement in the Legal Recourse category, moving from 15th place in 2021 to 2nd place in 2024.
Jagan said the improvement across these indicators demonstrated the impact of the policies and programmes implemented by the YSRCP government.
Andhra Pradesh Recorded the Biggest Jump in AEI Rankings
The overall composite ranking of Andhra Pradesh improved from 10th place in 2021 to 3rd place in 2024.
Jagan pointed out that the 2024 AEI report specifically recognised Andhra Pradesh for making the biggest improvement among all states, moving up seven positions in the national rankings.
He said the achievement was not accidental but was the result of the previous government’s emphasis on welfare, development, healthcare, social security and economic support.
Jagan Questions Chandrababu’s Claims on Andhra Pradesh’s Development
Taking a dig at Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan said the Chief Minister was claiming credit for achievements that were largely the result of the previous YSRCP government’s policies.
He also recalled how Chandrababu had repeatedly described Andhra Pradesh’s financial and economic condition during the previous government as being ‘on a ventilator’.
Jagan argued that the improvement in the AEI rankings contradicts such claims and demonstrates the progress made by the state between 2019 and 2024.
He expressed pride in the achievements of the YSRCP government and said its focus on welfare and development had helped Andhra Pradesh secure a place among the top-performing states in the country.
The AEI rankings have now become a fresh political flashpoint between the YSRCP and the ruling coalition, with Jagan questioning Chandrababu’s claims over the state’s development record.
