Chandrababu Running a Mafia: YS Jagan

October 18, Tadepalli: AP former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at the TDP coalition government, stating it is riddled with corruption and scams, dubbing it a "looting and sharing" administration. He highlighted the failure to fulfill promises, issues with sand policy, and corruption in flood relief funds. He condemned the government's manipulation of the liquor distribution and the Skill Development Scam. He also called for transparency in elections, demanding the counting of VVPAT slips to protect democratic values.

Speaking to the media at the party's central office on Friday, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed the TDP coalition government for failing to present a full budget despite being in power for five months, continuing instead with a vote-on-account budget. He highlighted widespread corruption, particularly in sectors like sand, liquor, gambling, and mining, where bribes are rampant. He  stated that the government has neglected its promises and allowed scams to dominate post-election governance, leaving the state in a worsening condition.

YS Jagan criticized Chandrababu Naidu and the coalition leaders for their mismanagement of sand prices in the state. He pointed out that, before the elections, they complained about high sand prices, but under the current government, the cost of sand has drastically increased, ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000 per truckload across different constituencies. He stated that the TDP coalition exploited sand resources through corrupt tender practices, allowing only two days for bids during a festival, which he described as highly irregular.

In contrast, Jagan emphasized the transparency of his government’s e-tendering system, where contractors paid Rs 475 per ton for sand, with Rs 375 going as royalty to the state, generating Rs 750 crore annually. He criticized the current administration for its lack of transparency, noting that despite claims of offering free sand, there has been no revenue for the government, while sand prices have soared.

Regarding liquor policy, YS Jagan stated that Naidu brought the new liquor policy to benefit private distilleries, allowing mafias to control liquor sales by shutting down government-run shops. He  highlighted that his government reduced alcohol consumption by cutting the number of liquor shops and raising prices, all while increasing revenue. He also warned that Naidu’s promise of Rs. 99 liquor was misleading, as it would result in poor-quality alcohol that could seriously harm public health.

Explaining Skill development scam, YS Jagan said Chandrababu Naidu is accused of approving Rs 371 crore for a Skill Development program, which was diverted through shell companies and  despite ED attaching assets worth Rs 54.74 crore and naming Naidu in the scam, he falsely claimed he received a clean chit. The scam also implicates key individuals, and Siemens' internal investigation confirmed the fraud, with evidence showing funds were misused. Despite clear proof, Naidu and his media allies continue to spread misinformation, attempting to cover up his involvement in this significant financial scandal, he added.

#WATCH | Speaking on N Chandrababu Naidu govt, YSRCP President and former CM of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy says, "The fact that tenders have been given in sand (mining) with two days notice - have you ever seen this in India?. As far as liquor is concerned, if… pic.twitter.com/ZHMWkBevuV

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2024

YS Jagan flayed theTDP government for mismanaging flood relief funds, questioning the alleged expenditure of Rs 368 crores for feeding one crore people and the existence of relief camps. He highlighted the media as witnesses, expressing doubts about the actual number of people in these camps. Reddy also raised concerns over the Rs 23 crore spent on candles, matchboxes, and mobile generators, questioning their use when people were stranded in water. He suggested that these relief efforts were part of a larger scam orchestrated by the government.

In response to media questions, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy remarked that filing cases and arresting YSRCP leaders to intimidate party workers would not weaken the party. He criticized the government for ignoring public concerns, especially regarding the liquor mafia and sand scams, which were occurring in plain sight. He warned that if this continued, the ruling TDP government under Chandrababu Naidu could face severe consequences, with the possibility of not even securing a single-digit seat count in future elections.

Jagan also addressed other issues, such as the ongoing battle related to EVMs and VV-PAT verification. He questioned why the Election Commission was not matching EVMs with VV-PATs in Ongole, despite the YSRCP having paid for the verification. He noted that even countries like the U.S. use paper ballots for transparency and democracy to not only exist but also be seen to exist.