VIJAYAWADA: TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked his party MPs to strive for getting support for the State from the Centre rather than focussing on ‘irrelevant’ issues like YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s proposed protest in New Delhi, which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
Naidu chaired the Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party (TDPP) meeting at his residence in Undavalli on Saturday.
Interestingly, he also invited his Cabinet colleagues to the TDPP meeting and attached each MP to a Minister of the State government so that they can work in tandem to resolve issues in their respective departments at the Central government level.
“Once every three months, I will review your performance in terms of how much funds you have secured, the projects and approvals received from the Centre,” Naidu informed the MPs.
Jagan’s dharna irrelevant, it’s meant to abstain from Assembly session: CM
When one of the MPs raised the issue of Jagan’s dharna, the Chief Minister reportedly remarked, “What the YSRC chief does in the national capital is irrelevant. What the TDP MPs do is important.”
Alleging that Jagan was conducting the dharna in the national capital only to abstain from the Assembly session in the State which will commence on July 22, Naidu said the former CM has no guts to face the facts that will be highlighted on the floor of the House in the form of White Papers.
Stating that the prevalent culture of ganja and drugs during the YSRC regime has resulted in the untoward incidents in the State, the 74-year-old said the YSRC leaders have admitted that the murder in Vinukonda took place because of ganja.
Claiming that the State government has no funds even for emergency expenditure, he charged Jagan with floating corporations for debts and diverting the employees’ PF amount to other departments.
“After observing the damage done by the previous government, one will think that even terrorists are better in comparison to YSRC leaders,” he quipped. Making it clear that there was no question of compromising on the law and order situation in the State, Naidu accused Jagan of politicising personal attacks. Further, he said the YSRC chief was resorting to spreading propaganda in the name of political violence only because his existence is in danger now.
Stating that nothing is more important to him than maintaining law and order, Naidu said no one can escape the law. He directed police officers to initiate stringent action against those resorting to criminal activities.
“People have reposed immense faith in us and elected us with a thumping majority. We all should stand by them and show development along with welfare. We have taken a decision to implement five promises despite the State facing financial difficulties. Our next steps should be in the direction of winning the election in 2029. We have to do good for the people without any delay,” Naidu stressed.
Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Civil Aviation Minister and Srikakulam MP K Ram Mohan Naidu said the Chief Minister has instructed them to work in the direction of bailing the State out of debts by securing more grants, Centrally-sponsored schemes and infrastructure projects for the State.
Exuding confidence that the State will get priority in the Union Budget, Ram alleged that several Centrally-sponsored schemes were stalled in the State as the previous YSRC government did not release matching grants and also diverted the Central funds.
Further, he asserted that the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant will not be privatised and added that efforts are being made for the establishment of the Railway Zone at Vizag and to make it operational at the earliest.
Jagan’s invite
YSRC chief YS Jagan has invited all political parties to join his protest in New Delhi
What Naidu told his MPs
Get funds for Amaravati, Polavaram and Jal Jeevan Mission and other projects
Focus on implementation of the issues in the State Reorganisation Act
Distribution of assets listed under Schedule IX and X should be completed
Set up of Petroleum University in Vizag
Focus on Kadapa Steel Plant
Procure funds for Prakasam district under backward district category
Focus on achieving 90% subsidy from Centre for micro-irrigation in backward districts
Achieve industrial incentives for backward districts
Completion of Amaravati - Anantapur Highway, Amaravati outer ring road at the earliest
Highways, ports, airports and industrial parks should be brought under one umbrella