Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addressed a media conference yesterday and posed several questions to the government over the disastrous governance in the State. However, as usual, there has been no response from the government, Chief Minister Chandrababu, or the ministers. Like thieves stung by a scorpion, they remained silent without uttering a word.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy raised one issue after another — the severe drought conditions in the State, farmers’ hardships and losses, water shortage for Rayalaseema, the BC reservations issue, crop insurance, ganja transportation and the role of the police — and questioned the Chandrababu government. But no one is speaking either on the evidence he presented or on the allegations he made. Instead, they continued their routine personal attacks and false propaganda.
Where is the Clear answer?
YS Jagan lashed out that a government which is supposed to answer people’s issues is limiting itself to criticising the Opposition that is asking questions. He challenged the Chandrababu government to say whether it has the courage to give a clear answer to even one of the questions being asked on behalf of the people of the State.
YS Jagan questioned what the government has done when drought is clearly visible, where its plan is to support farmers who are losing thousands of rupees per acre, and why it has not responded even when water levels are falling in Rayalaseema projects.
On the other hand, he accused Chandrababu of staging a political drama in the name of BC reservations and reminded the people of Chandrababu’s past conduct. YS Jagan also raised serious questions on the ganja and drugs issue in the State. When allegations are emerging that ganja and liquor bottles were found in a police vehicle, he asked what action had been taken against the real culprits.
Analyses are emerging that instead of answering the questions raised by YS Jagan, the Chandrababu government is trying to escape through counter-criticism.
YS Jagan’s Direct Questions: Will Chandrababu Answer Even One?
1. Why Is There No Contingency Plan?
YS Jagan pointed out that from June to August 25, the State recorded a 52 percent rainfall deficit compared to normal rainfall. He also stated that 625 out of 688 mandals are facing deficient rainfall.
When such clear warning signs were visible from June itself, why was an alternative plan not prepared by July? Why did the government not implement a plan in advance on what crops farmers should cultivate and where specific seeds should be distributed? Even after such serious drought signals were clearly visible, what was the Chandrababu government doing?
2. Why Were Farmers Not Alerted?
YS Jagan stated that there was a 25 percent rainfall deficit in June and a massive 66 percent rainfall deficit in July. Despite knowing this situation, he alleged that the government created publicity saying it would supply water, because of which farmers borrowed money and entered cultivation.
When the government knew in July itself that the situation was serious, why did it not issue a drought warning to farmers? Why did it not tell farmers the real situation regarding water availability? Why did it create a situation where farmers were forced to borrow money and invest in cultivation?
3. Who Will Take Responsibility for the Loss?
YS Jagan said farmers trusted the government and entered cultivation because of the publicity around pujas at Pattiseema, water-release programmes, and promises that water would reach the tail-end of canals.
Farmers borrowed money to buy seeds and fertilisers. They raised nurseries. But now those crops are drying up, he alleged. If farmers who trusted the government’s publicity and entered cultivation are now suffering losses of up to ₹15,000 per acre, who will take responsibility for that loss? Will the Chandrababu government compensate them?
4. Does the Government Have a List of Affected Farmers?
YS Jagan stated that farmers have already suffered at least ₹15,000 per acre in losses because of the investment they made for Kharif cultivation.
How many farmers across the State have already suffered losses? In how many acres have crops been damaged? Is there any special package for those farmers? Or will the government start calculating only after the drought becomes even more severe?
YS Jagan’s Direct Questions: Will Chandrababu Answer Even One?
5. How Many Farmers Were Given Alternative Crop Seeds?
YS Jagan questioned why alternative crop seeds such as cowpea, horse gram, sesame, black gram, green gram, jowar and bajra were not supplied to farmers.
By August 26, how much seed of each alternative crop was distributed in drought-affected mandals? How many farmers were given these seeds free of cost? Will the government release these details district-wise?
6. Why Were No Measures Taken Even by the End of August?
YS Jagan pointed out that August is almost over, and after September 15, rainfall is likely to decline further.
Why were the drought-management measures that should have been taken in July not taken even by the end of August? Even if seeds are given to farmers now, will the crop come to harvest? Who will take responsibility for the lack of advance planning?
7. Why Was Water Not Given to Rayalaseema Through Pothireddypadu?
YS Jagan alleged that even though the water level in the Srisailam Project stood at 879.50 feet on August 11, sufficient water was not released to Rayalaseema projects.
He questioned the government, pointing out that full-scale release of water through Pothireddypadu is possible at 880 feet. When there was an opportunity, why was water not supplied to Rayalaseema projects? If the situation worsens now after the water level has fallen, who will take responsibility?
8. What Action Did Chandrababu Take When Water Was Being Wasted?
YS Jagan referred to the situation as of August 25, when Srisailam was receiving only around 7,000 cusecs of inflow per day, while about 48,000 cusecs of water was being used for power generation.
When many times more water than the inflow was being released, what water-management plan did the government prepare for Rayalaseema’s future needs? Even though there was a risk of the water level falling further within three weeks, why did the Chief Minister not respond?
9. How Will Water Be Given to Seema After Srisailam Falls to 854 Feet?
YS Jagan explained that if the Srisailam water level falls below 854 feet, release of water through Pothireddypadu will not be possible.
If that situation arises, what alternative plan does the Chandrababu government have for Rayalaseema’s irrigation and drinking water needs? If action is not taken now when water is available, what will the government do later?
10. Were Reviews Held as Water Levels Fell in Rayalaseema Projects?
YS Jagan disclosed details on water availability in several projects under Telugu Ganga, SRBC, GNSS and HNSS.
When did the Chandrababu government last conduct an emergency review on available water storage in these projects? Is there a special water-emergency plan for Rayalaseema districts? Or will the government act only after the situation completely deteriorates?
YS Jagan’s Direct Questions: Will Chandrababu Answer Even One?
11. Why Did Crop Insurance Applications Fall to 40 Lakh?
YS Jagan stated that in the 2022–23 Kharif season, crop insurance was applicable to 1.18 crore applications, whereas in the 2026–27 Kharif season, it was limited to only 40 lakh applications.
At a time of drought, when insurance protection for farmers should have increased, why has coverage fallen? Why have the remaining farmers been left out of crop insurance protection? What does the Chandrababu government have to say on this?
12. What Is the Answer on the Crop Insurance Premium Burden?
YS Jagan alleged that farmers suffered heavy losses because the State government did not pay its share of the premium.
Why was the insurance premium relating to Kharif 2023 not paid? How much did farmers lose because of this? If there was a delay in premium payment, who is responsible? Will the Chandrababu government release clear figures on this?
13. Who Has Sincerity on 34 Percent Reservation for BCs?
YS Jagan stated that during his government, 34 percent reservation was given to BCs through G.O. 176. He said its implementation was halted after cases were filed in the courts.
When obstacles were created at that time to prevent the implementation of BC reservations, what was Chandrababu’s stand? Now, what is the legal basis for the political exercise being carried out in the name of the same 34 percent BC reservation?
14. Why Give Assurances on BC Reservations Despite Knowing They Will Not Stand in Court?
YS Jagan alleged that despite knowing the court judgments on the 50 percent reservation limit, Chandrababu is again creating noise over the same issue.
If a decision is taken that will not stand in court, who will bear the political and administrative loss caused to BCs? Is the government truly working for a solution? Or is it once again playing a political drama for BC votes?
15. What Good Has Chandrababu Done for BCs?
YS Jagan listed the representation given to BCs during his government in the Cabinet, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, MLC posts, Mayor posts, local bodies and nominated posts.
But how much political representation did Chandrababu give to BCs during his government? What percentage of representation did BCs get in the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, Cabinet and nominated posts under Chandrababu? Does he have the courage to answer YS Jagan’s figures with figures?
YS Jagan’s Direct Questions: Will Chandrababu Answer Even One?
16. Why Are You Silent on Ganja and Liquor in a Police Vehicle?
YS Jagan alleged that in the Addanki incident, ganja, liquor bottles and a police uniform were found in a car linked to police officials.
Was an independent and transparent inquiry conducted into this incident? What is the outcome of the forensic or departmental inquiry into the items found in the car? What cases have been registered against those responsible?
17. Why Did the DSP Say One Thing and the SP Another on the Same Incident?
YS Jagan pointed out that the DSP gave one explanation, the SP gave another, and the statement of the concerned SIs gave yet another reason.
Why did three different versions come from senior police officials on the same accident? What is the actual official version? What action has the government taken against those who gave incorrect information?
18. Who Called 108 — the SI or a Local Resident?
YS Jagan questioned the contradictory details over who called the 108 ambulance at the time of the incident.
Why is there a difference between the version given by police officials and the details recorded in the 108 Patient Care Record? Which record does the government consider true? Was any internal inquiry conducted into this contradiction?
19. If Police Themselves Become the Centre of Allegations, Whom Should People Trust?
YS Jagan strongly questioned the situation where officials from the police system, which is supposed to protect the public, are themselves facing allegations of ganja transportation and liquor consumption.
When such allegations arise against police personnel, what answer does the government have to the criticism that instead of immediately suspending those responsible and conducting a comprehensive inquiry, it is trying to protect them? How can people continue to have faith in the police system?
20. Will Chandrababu Directly Answer Even One Question?
Is there a drought or not? Are farmers suffering losses or not? Why were seeds for alternative crops not distributed? Why was Srisailam water not used in advance for Rayalaseema? Why has crop insurance coverage fallen? What happened earlier on BC reservations? Why this sudden noise now? What is the truth in the ganja incident?
These are not merely political allegations raised by YS Jagan. These are public questions that the government must answer.
It is easy to respond to criticism with more criticism. But will the Chandrababu government answer even one of the issues raised by YS Jagan with dates, figures and official records? Or will it continue criticising those who ask questions and escape from the real issues?
