YSRCP, TDP indulge in war of words
TDP is unable to digest the fact that North Andhra will get a lot of projects once it becomes the executive capital: Kanna Babu
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam: THE ruling YSR Congress Party and its arch-rival Telugu Desam Party are indulging in a war of words over development of North Andhra Pradesh with each claiming to have taken up concrete action during its rule for development of the backward region.
The holding of 'North Andhra Rakshana Charcha Vedika' by TDP here on Monday is being projected as a 'butt of ridicule' by YSRCP. The TDP leaders after facing humiliating defeat in 2019 general elections and recently held Municipal Corporation polls, are trying to revive the sagging morale of the party cadres by taking up various activities to corner the ruling party. North Andhra was a bastion for the yellow brigade since the formation of TDP by late actor-turned-politician NT Rama Rao.
Issues like failure to safeguard the interest of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by stopping privatisation, bring any big ticket projects to the region and implementing by 'truncating' the Bhogapuram International Airport project by shelving Aerotropolis by with aircraft related manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul MRO facility and cargo complex plans are being highlighted by the TDP. "In the name of balanced development, the three-capital plan is an attempt to hoodwink the people," TDP State vice-president Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy told Bizz Buzz on Tuesday.
Former Civil Aviation Minister and Simhachalam Devasthanam Chairman P Ashok Gajapathi Raju said there is no truth in the allegation by YSRCP that during his tenure the land records of the presiding deity of Simhachalam have been destroyed to allow grabbing of valuable lands. It said the announcement to make Visakhapatnam the executive capital is an attempt to mint money by encouraging 'land dhanda' (business) by YSRCP leaders and those close to the ruling establishment.
On the other hand, Minister for Tourism Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao hit out at TDP for indulging in gimmicks to gain cheap popularity. "Our Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has become darling of the masses by initiating several revolutionary schemes envisaged in Navaratnalu, nine promises made during the elections, like providing house-sites/houses to all the eligible persons, free health to all white card holders, increase in pension and introduction of village/ward secretariats," he pointed out.
Having been pushed to the corner with outright rejection in all the elections held since 2019, TDP leadership is found on a sticky wicket without knowing how to prevent mass exodus of its leaders and cadres, said YSRCP spokesman and Anakapalle MLA Gudivada Amarnath.
Agriculture Minister K. Kanna Babu said TDP is unable to digest the fact that North Andhra will get a lot of projects once it becomes the executive capital. He said the government is totally committed to implement the three-capital plan and blamed the TDP for creating legal hurdles out of fear of getting eliminated politically due to the growing popularity of YSRCP.
