- Chandrababu boasts as his own the credit earned by YSR and YS Jagan.
- The hard work belongs to YSR and Jagan; the photographs and publicity belong to Chandrababu.
- Chandrababu has turned into the brand ambassador of credit theft.
- Six foundation ceremonies and inaugurations for the Polavaram Project.
- Chandrababu laid a foundation stone for Veligonda 30 years ago and then abandoned it.
- He now falsely claims that he both laid the foundation and completed Veligonda.
- Chandrababu projects schemes introduced by YSR and Jagan as his own.
- Despite his long political career, he has no signature scheme of his own to showcase.
- He falsely claims that companies brought to Andhra Pradesh by Jagan were actually brought by him.
- People are questioning Chandrababu’s conduct.
There seems to be no end to Chandrababu’s credit theft. Projects, companies and achievements brought in or completed by YS Jagan and the late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy are now being shamelessly projected by Chandrababu as his own accomplishments. He has become the brand ambassador of credit theft. Today, he even claimed that the entire Veligonda Project was his achievement. His only known method has been to hurriedly lay foundation stones before elections for political benefit and abandon the projects once the elections are over.
Desperate for Polavaram Credit After Once Opposing It
During his nine years as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu never gave serious attention to Polavaram. It was the late YSR who secured all the necessary clearances and launched the project. Yet Chandrababu criticised the project at the time, claiming Polavaram was being constructed without approvals and that it would push the State into debt.
YSR and YS Jagan pursued the project with determination, while Chandrababu’s mistakes during 2014–19 caused delays. Now, he is again projecting Polavaram as his own achievement.
During those five years, without completing the project, Chandrababu conducted six foundation ceremonies and inaugurations in his eagerness to claim credit. At one stage, even placing a sheet across the spillway was projected as an inauguration, turning the project into a publicity spectacle.
Six Publicity Stunts at Polavaram
- 30.12.2016 – Inauguration of spillway concrete works.
- 08.06.2017 – Inauguration of the iconic bridge and coffer dam construction works.
- 11.06.2018 – Publicity campaign claiming that the ECRF diaphragm wall had been completed in 414 days.
- 24.12.2018 – Inauguration of spillway radial gates and unveiling of a pylon.
- September 2018 – Spillway gallery walk along with his family.
- March 2019 – A publicity drama by placing an iron sheet across the structure.
Thus, Chandrababu staged publicity events on six different occasions.
Renaming YS Jagan’s Schemes and Systems
By changing names and repackaging them, Chandrababu is appropriating the credit for schemes introduced by YS Jagan.
- Village and Ward Secretariats were renamed as Vision Units and projected as though they were newly introduced.
- Rythu Bharosa Kendras became Rythu Seva Kendras.
- Rythu Bharosa became Annadata Sukhibhava.
- Jagananna Colonies became NTR Nagars.
- Amma Vodi became Thalliki Vandanam.
- Goru Mudda was renamed as the Mid-Day Meal programme.
- Vidya Kanuka became Vidya Mitra.
- Nadu-Nedu became Mana Badi–Mana Bhavishyathu.
- Matsyakara Bharosa became Matsyakarula Sevalo.
- The Disha App was renamed the Shakti App.
The names are being changed while the underlying schemes and systems created under YS Jagan are being claimed as new initiatives.
Data Centre
By removing the Adani name from the data centre project and replacing it with Google, Chandrababu and Lokesh are now beating the drum in Delhi claiming that they brought a prestigious project to Andhra Pradesh.
Since the present proposal is only for a data centre, it is expected to create employment for only around 200 people. Despite extending large-scale concessions, the project is unlikely to generate substantial employment or livelihood opportunities.
During 2014–19, the Chandrababu government issued a land acquisition notification without following the prescribed norms and announced compensation of only ₹12.50 lakh per acre. Farmers challenged the notification in the High Court. Even before the matter was resolved, with elections approaching, Chandrababu performed a foundation ceremony on February 14, 2019, to project the project as his achievement.
In contrast, on May 3, 2023, then Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone at IT Hill-4, Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, for Vizag Tech Park Limited, proposed by the Adani Group with an investment of ₹21.44 crore. The plan envisaged a 300-MW integrated data park spread across 190 acres.
This was not merely a data centre, but an integrated development centre expected to create employment opportunities for around 40,000 people. The project was designed as a game changer for the State, with the data centre to be powered by renewable energy.
As part of the project, a submarine cable system from Singapore was also proposed, which would significantly improve internet connectivity and speed. It was YS Jagan who gave concrete shape to such a transformative project.
Bhogapuram International Airport
The foundation ceremony for the construction of Bhogapuram International Airport was performed by then Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on May 3, 2023.
The YSRCP government cleared the hurdles surrounding the project and ensured that construction began after securing the necessary approvals. It completed the acquisition of 2,751 acres of land, addressed the demands of farmers who had approached the courts, and provided enhanced compensation.
For 376 displaced families who lost their homes, rehabilitation colonies with township-like facilities were developed at a cost of nearly ₹80 crore. Each family was sanctioned 5 cents of land and ₹8.70 lakh as rehabilitation compensation. Around ₹18 crore was also paid as compensation to the concerned farmers.
The airport was taken up by the GMR Group at a cost of around ₹5,000 crore, with the objective of completing the first phase by 2025 with an annual passenger-handling capacity of 60 lakh passengers. Measures were also taken to construct a strong 3.8-km runway capable of handling large aircraft, while boundary-wall works progressed rapidly.
Steps to develop a six-lane road connectivity between Bhogapuram and Visakhapatnam were also initiated during YS Jagan’s tenure.
Despite all this groundwork and execution having taken place under YS Jagan, Chandrababu and Lokesh are now projecting the project as their own achievement.
Pumped Storage Project Was Also Initiated Earlier
The Chandrababu government is also taking credit in the clean-energy sector. The pumped storage project at Pinnapuram in Kurnool district was initiated during the YSRCP government and construction progressed rapidly during that period.
Several such green-energy projects were launched under the YSRCP government, but Chandrababu is now trying to claim them as his own achievements.
NTPC Project Too Was Brought During Jagan’s Tenure
It is also shameful for Chandrababu to claim credit for the NTPC project that was agreed upon during the YSRCP government.
The project came to Andhra Pradesh because of then Chief Minister YS Jagan’s vision for new-generation energy sources. Land was allotted at Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district during the YSRCP government itself.
Similarly, the BPCL project near Ramayapatnam also came due to YS Jagan’s efforts. The required land parcels were identified and shown to the company, and the project was brought to the State after clearing the necessary issues.
Even after these projects were prepared and cleared during the YSRCP government, Chandrababu is now trying to appropriate their credit.
YS Jagan Inaugurated ATC Tyres in 2022
Japan-based ATC Tyres (Yokohama) entered into an agreement for an investment of ₹3,079 crore. The proposal was actually approved at the SIPB meeting chaired by then Chief Minister YS Jagan in November 2020. Construction began in February 2021, and YS Jagan inaugurated the plant in August 2022.
ATC Tyres invested ₹1,750 crore in the first phase and commenced production. The second phase was also announced at that time. However, the coalition government is now shamelessly projecting this expansion proposal as its own achievement.
Daikin Began Production in 2023
Under the PLI scheme, Daikin began construction of what was described as the largest air-conditioner manufacturing unit in South India at Sri City in 2022. Production commenced in November 2023.
Daikin established the unit over 75 acres with an investment of ₹1,000 crore and purchased another 33 acres in 2024 for expansion. The coalition government is now trying to claim this project as its own as well.
It Was Jagan Who Agreed to Return Kakinada SEZ Lands
During Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister from 2004 to 2009, significant efforts were made to promote Special Economic Zones in Andhra Pradesh with the objective of accelerating economic growth, industrial development and employment generation.
Under YSR, several major SEZs took shape, and more than 100 SEZs, either operational or under development, came up in the State. Companies such as GMR, GVK, Lanco and Ramky were given opportunities, helping Andhra Pradesh emerge as the State with the second-highest number of SEZs after Gujarat. These SEZs contributed to employment, exports and industrial growth.
It was YS Jagan who agreed to return the lands acquired for the Kakinada SEZ, but even this decision is now being projected by the present government as its own achievement.
DRDO-BEL Project Is Also an Earlier Proposal
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), in association with DRDO, proposed setting up a defence equipment manufacturing unit at Palasamudram in Sri Sathya Sai district.
In November 2022, then Defence Secretary Giridhar met Chief Minister YS Jagan and placed the proposal before him. On the same day, the BEL Board of Directors, meeting in Machilipatnam, approved the establishment of the unit.
The present SIPB has now approved the proposal as though it were an entirely new project.
Deccan Fine Chemicals and Other Units Date Back to Earlier Governments
Deccan Fine Chemicals has had a specialty chemicals manufacturing unit at Kesavaram in East Godavari district for several years.
Mohan Spintex established its unit at Vattigudipadu in Eluru district in 2007 during YSR’s tenure. Ramabhadra Industries was established at Tanuku in 2006.
The SIPB has now approved expansion proposals of these existing companies, and the present government is projecting those expansions as fresh achievements.
Ashok Leyland Began Production During YSRCP Rule
Ashok Leyland commenced production during the previous YSRCP government in 2021. The company itself informed the stock exchanges about the commencement of production on February 19, 2021.
Despite the unit having already begun production, Nara Lokesh again inaugurated it in June 2025 and tried to project it as an achievement of the coalition government.
Now They Say Amma Vodi Was Lokesh’s Idea
YS Jagan launched Amma Vodi after seeing poor mothers being forced to send their children to work instead of school. The scheme was designed to encourage families to keep children in education.
Under the scheme, ₹15,000 was credited to mothers of students studying from Class I to Intermediate.
After the coalition government came to power, it renamed the scheme Thalliki Vandanam and is implementing it only partially. Chandrababu has now gone to the extent of telling children that the scheme itself was Nara Lokesh’s idea.
Visakhapatnam Inorbit Mall
During YS Jagan’s tenure, the foundation was laid in Visakhapatnam for what was projected as one of the largest malls in the country.
Because of YS Jagan’s initiative and vision, nearly 90% of the works were completed by the time of the elections. The mall was recently inaugurated by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
Coalition leaders are now trying to add this project too to their own list of achievements.
Credit Theft Even in Housing
In 22 months of coalition rule, there has been no record of distributing even a yard of land to the poor or sanctioning any significant new housing programme. Yet Chief Minister Chandrababu is claiming that his government constructed 3 lakh houses.
With the objective of ensuring a permanent house for every poor family in the State, the YS Jagan government implemented Navaratnalu–Pedalandariki Illu.
During YS Jagan’s tenure:
- 31.19 lakh house-site pattas were distributed free to women over 71,800 acres.
- Entire new settlements were developed as Jagananna Colonies.
- More than 19 lakh houses were sanctioned in these colonies.
- In addition, 2.62 lakh AP TIDCO houses were part of the housing programme.
- By the time of the elections, more than 9 lakh houses had been completed.
The coalition government is now trying to claim credit for houses that were sanctioned, grounded and substantially constructed under the YSRCP government.
Lokesh’s Claims on RDT
YSRCP mounted sustained pressure through public campaigns for renewal of the FCRA permission required by the Rural Development Trust (RDT), Anantapur, to receive foreign funds.
Nara Lokesh and coalition leaders are now projecting even that development as their own achievement.
Coalition Claims Credit for Bulk Drug Park
For the proposed Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district, the YS Jagan government had already created the AP Bulk Drug Infrastructure Corporation in 2020.
The Centre subsequently communicated the allocation of the Bulk Drug Park to Andhra Pradesh. On November 7, 2022, the Under Secretary in the Union Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, formally wrote to the State regarding establishment of Common Infrastructure Facilities (CIF) in the park.
The total project cost was ₹1,876 crore, and the Centre released ₹223 crore in March 2023 as the first instalment.
Despite this clear administrative and financial trail, the coalition government is now projecting the Bulk Drug Park as though it were a fresh project brought by them.
Land Resurvey: Opposed During Elections, Claimed After Coming to Power
With the objective of correcting decades-old defects in land records, the YS Jagan government launched the comprehensive land resurvey as part of its land reforms programme.
By the time of the elections, surveys had been completed in 6,800 out of 17,461 revenue villages.
During the elections, coalition leaders ran a campaign against the land resurvey and declared that they would scrap it if they came to power. After assuming office, however, they continued the very same system introduced by YS Jagan and are now trying to claim credit for it.
Credit Theft Over Ramayapatnam and Mulapeta Ports
During the YSRCP government, the Ramayapatnam Port was nearing completion, while works on the Machilipatnam and Mulapeta Ports were progressing rapidly.
In the case of Mulapeta Port, everything from land acquisition to construction of rehabilitation colonies was taken up by the Jagan government. Around 70% of the port construction works had been completed, but coalition leaders are now claiming that they themselves completed 70% of the project.
Apart from this, another private port at Kakinada is nearing completion. Eleven fishing harbours were also taken up during the YSRCP government. Claiming all these projects as achievements of the present government is another example of credit appropriation.
Teacher and Constable Recruitment Notifications Were Issued Under Jagan
During the YSRCP government, notifications were issued for 6,100 teacher posts and 6,100 police constable posts.
The Jagan government issued the notification for recruitment of 6,100 constables in November 2022, and the preliminary examination was conducted on January 22, 2023.
The coalition government is now presenting the eventual recruitment against these notified posts as its own achievement.
The Same Falsehoods Over Veligonda
Today, Chandrababu is trying to add the Veligonda Project to his own list of achievements. But a look at the project’s history shows that what stands in Chandrababu’s account is largely a foundation stone, substandard works and contracts awarded at high rates to favoured firms. It was the late Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy who gave the project a comprehensive shape and accelerated its construction. It was former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy who completed the most difficult twin tunnels and prepared the way for water diversion. Chandrababu’s present inauguration spectacle is nothing but an attempt to appropriate their work.
Was Chandrababu Asleep for Those Eight Years?
Chandrababu laid the foundation stone for Veligonda nearly 30 years ago, but during the eight years he remained Chief Minister from 1996 to 2004, only around ₹10 lakh was spent, largely on the foundation-stone ceremony and public meeting arrangements.
After leaving the project untouched for those eight years, Chandrababu is now projecting as his own a project that was brought to life through the efforts of YSR and YS Jagan.
YSR gave Veligonda its comprehensive form and completed the lion’s share of the construction. Despite the severe difficulties caused by Covid, YS Jagan completed the most technically challenging twin tunnels and prepared the system for water diversion.
Laying a foundation stone does not mean constructing a project. Cutting a ribbon does not transfer three decades of effort into Chandrababu’s account. Veligonda carries YSR’s vision, YS Jagan’s commitment and the labour of thousands of workers and engineers. What Chandrababu’s record shows instead is delay, poor-quality works, high-priced contracts and, finally, credit theft.
Veligonda Came Alive Through YSR’s Jalayagnam
After becoming Chief Minister in 2004, YS Rajasekhara Reddy gave Veligonda a comprehensive shape under Jalayagnam. The project was redesigned to divert 43.50 TMC of Krishna floodwater through twin tunnels into Nallamala Sagar, with a gross storage capacity of 53.85 TMC, supported by three dams, a feeder channel and major canals.
With the objective of providing irrigation to 4.47 lakh acres in Prakasam, Nellore and YSR Kadapa districts and drinking water to 15.25 lakh people across 30 mandals, YSR launched the works on October 27, 2004.
A total of ₹3,581.58 crore was spent, and the lion’s share of works relating to Nallamala Sagar, canals and tunnels was completed. Of the total 37.587 km of twin-tunnel excavation, 20.333 km was completed during the construction phase initiated by YSR.
Only 6.686 km Excavated During Five Years of TDP Rule
Between 2014 and 2019, the Chandrababu government spent ₹1,414.51 crore on Veligonda, but excavated only 6.686 km of tunnel. It failed to achieve breakthrough in even a single tunnel. Instead of completing the project, Chandrababu kept announcing fresh deadlines—2017, then 2018, then 2019.
The CAG pointed out that the Chandrababu government paid an additional ₹630.57 crore to contractors by applying G.O. 22 and G.O. 63. Though ₹66.44 crore was paid in the name of repairing Tunnel Boring Machines, the machines did not function to their full capacity.
The Tunnel-2 contractor was removed, the estimated cost of the remaining works was increased, and the balance works were awarded to another contractor at higher rates. The TDP government also executed embankment works over the remaining 5.2 km of the feeder channel in a substandard manner. During the 2024 rains, those stretches suffered erosion. Now, another ₹456 crore worth of retaining wall and concrete lining works have been awarded to a favoured contractor. Poor-quality works earlier and fresh high-value contracts in the name of repairs now—this is Chandrababu’s record at Veligonda.
YS Jagan Kept His Promise Despite Covid
YS Jagan had promised during his padayatra that he would complete Veligonda. After becoming Chief Minister, he gave special attention to the project. The remaining 2.883 km of Tunnel-1 was taken up in November 2019 and completed by January 13, 2021, despite the severe disruption caused by Covid. The Head Regulator works were also completed in the same year.
During the TDP government, Tunnel-1 progressed at an average of 2.41 metres per day, while under the YSRCP government it progressed at 4.12 metres per day.
The Chandrababu government had awarded the remaining Tunnel-2 works at higher rates. YS Jagan cancelled that contract and conducted reverse tendering, awarding the works at a cost ₹61.76 crore lower than the rate fixed by the TDP government, thereby saving public money.
When the TBM had reached the end of its operational life and progress slowed, five cross-passages were excavated from Tunnel-1 into Tunnel-2 and manual excavation was taken up. As a result, the most difficult remaining 7.685 km was completed by January 21, 2024. Tunnel-2 progressed at an average of only 1.31 metres per day under the TDP government, compared with 7.25 metres per day under YS Jagan.
Jagan Dedicated the Twin Tunnels to the Nation
Despite Covid and financial constraints, the YSRCP government completed the remaining 10.568 km of the most difficult tunnel excavation. Tunnel-1 was completed in January 2021 and Tunnel-2 in January 2024, and the twin tunnels were dedicated to the nation on March 6, 2024.
Head regulators and canal-linking works were completed to prepare the system for diversion of water into Nallamala Sagar as soon as floodwaters reached Srisailam.
Between 2019 and 2024, the YSRCP government spent ₹1,046.46 crore on Veligonda. Together, the YSR and YS Jagan governments completed 30.901 km of tunnel excavation, while only 6.686 km was excavated during Chandrababu’s tenure. These figures themselves show who built Veligonda and who merely claimed the publicity.
Rehabilitation Delayed for 26 Months
The YSRCP government prepared rehabilitation colonies for 7,321 displaced families in 11 submerged villages. It prepared a rehabilitation plan involving ₹1,301.56 crore and completed rehabilitation of 96 families by January 2024.
There was scope to rehabilitate the remaining 7,225 families and divert water during the 2024 season itself, but the Chandrababu government delayed the process for 26 months.
If the twin tunnels were ready in 2024, why was water not released for so long? Why were farmers denied irrigation water and people denied drinking water for two years?
Without answering these questions, claiming the entire credit from an inauguration stage is nothing but misleading the public.
Chandrababu should set aside the publicity spectacle, pay full compensation to every displaced family, complete rehabilitation in a humane manner, fill Nallamala Sagar, provide irrigation water to farmers and supply safe drinking water to fluorosis-affected areas.
Writing Chandrababu’s name over the hard work of YSR and YS Jagan cannot rewrite history. Inauguration photographs cannot erase the facts. The foundation stone may have been Chandrababu’s, but YSR gave Veligonda life, and it was the YS Jagan government that completed the twin tunnels.
