TDP undermined Municipal by-election norms
Vijayawada: YSR Congress Party MLC Lella Appi Reddy strongly condemned the Telugu Desam Party for undermining democracy during the recent municipal by-elections. Addressing the media at party office here on Monday, he criticised the TDP-led coalition government of using coercion, threats, and inducements to force YSRCP's elected representatives in local bodies to switch loyalties.
Highlighting blatant irregularities, Appi Reddy pointed to Kuppam Municipality, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's own constituency, despite YSRCP having 18 out of 25 councillors, TDP usurped the municipal chairman's post by intimidating and luring nine YSRCP councillors. He noted that similar undemocratic practices were evident in Macherla, Palakonda, Tuni, and other municipalities, where despite YSRCP majorities, the coalition captured power through unethical means. Calling it an unprecedented misuse of power, he criticised the coalition for celebrating these ill-gotten victories with the support of partisan media. He warned that the public was closely observing these actions and would soon hold the coalition accountable.
Appi Reddy contrasted the current situation with YSRCP's commitment to democratic values, recalling how, under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's leadership, the party respected the people's mandate during past elections, even when in power. He stressed that the coalition's desperate actions, even with a year left in office, were forcing unnecessary by-elections.
The MLC stated that YSRCP had issued whips to its elected representatives and initiated disciplinary action against defectors, while also pursuing legal remedies. Reaffirming YSRCP's commitment to protecting democratic traditions, he expressed confidence that the people of Andhra Pradesh would soon reject the coalition's anti-democratic excesses.
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Hindustan Times
42 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
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Even the Singapore govt, which is considered one of the most credible across the world, was harassed in the name of cases. Now, they are turning away from Andhra Pradesh. Rs 9,000 crore public money was paid without using power due to cancellation of PPAs, Rs 55,000 crore drowned in Polavaram, Rs 1 lakh crore was destroyed in Amaravati, besides various scams, grabbing of ports, and valuable land parcels. Making a comeback after such setbacks is not easy. But we are trying to overcome all the challenges. So, you are at minus 10 and trying to build from scratch again? That is what I am saying. Not minus 10, it was like minus 100 when I took over. They chased away industries like Amara Raja group. Looted money in liquor, land, sand and granite. Took over ports on benami names. As many as 98 centrally sponsored schemes were derailed because matching grants were not released from the state. They diverted money from centrally sponsored schemes. 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With technological tools available for processing that data, we can analyse and process problems and get solutions with 90% accuracy. Either it is education or agriculture, if we can integrate technology, the processes will be automated increasing productivity. We want to bring investments for commercialisation of technology in defence, aerospace which can create huge employment opportunities and export market for our products besides domestic utilisation. This is where I am talking about 15% growth rate. It can even go up to 20% if we have good leadership. We need global leaders to prepare more and more use cases, using technology. What happened to your legal sanctity demand for Amravati? We have already written to the Union govt for necessary amendments. But even if we assume that legal sanctity is given, we will continue to fight against evil elements. After winning the elections, everybody asked me whether I am confident enough to rebuild Amaravati. 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People tend to migrate with the opportunities they get. It is high time that south India, and other states in India, too go for population management. Only then will India stabilise. Otherwise, what happened in some countries globally, will happen to some states. Only Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are in advantageous positions in terms of population growth. We are offering incentives to have more children, and we are thinking of announcing more schemes. You were one of the pioneers in inviting investments to the state by bringing in people like Bill Gates. Almost every second CM is now trying to do this by attending investment summits. Is it like fighting against your own model? Any model is not a monopoly. Any brand is also not a monopoly. As long as your brand is strong, people will be with you. Everyone will try to replicate a successful brand. It is good to see a positive spirit and I welcome that. Earlier they used to ask what CBN is doing and now they are trying to do things differently by watching what is happening globally. This is good competition, good for the country. Can you tell us a bit more about Bill Gates foundation setting up an office in Amaravati? It is a very interesting model. I strongly believe public policies will empower societies. One public policy I brought during my earlier tenure to develop Hyderabad with technology, changed the face of Telangana. Today, we want to start at the next level in Amaravati. I am starting Quantum Valley with artificial intelligence and developing standalone computing systems. We have the advantage of Aadhaar and with that we want to prepare health profiles for every family. By using artificial intelligence, we want to focus on preventive healthcare besides integrating the central and state schemes to provide better healthcare services to all. We are creating a proof of concept for a holistic healthcare system. 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Like Bill Gates, who gave away 90% of his assets, it's time for everyone to give back something to the society. The uniqueness of P-4 is that we are doing it through a public policy. How far have you been successful in implementing your 'super six' promises in the first year? We have implemented many. I am doing everything possible despite the challenges. Rs 34,000 crore has been given for pensions alone. We are also planning to give Talliki Vandanam, financial assistance of Rs 15000 per kid, to mothers for sending their wards to school, on June 12. Annadata Sukhibhava (financial assistance to farmers) will also be given in the month of June. The free bus scheme for women will start from Aug 15. Mega DSC notification has been issued. Honorarium was enhanced for religious scholars, and fishermen during the ban period. We are trying to fulfil all the promises despite having severe financial constraints. Have people started taking welfare schemes for granted. 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Should that not be addressed first? Yes, 100% we have to create that. We are on the job and in another six months you are going to see everything in Amaravati. A good five-year period was lost during the previous YSRCP regime. Now airports like the ones in Hyderabad and Bangalore will come up in Amaravati. What is the need for another international airport when you already have one at Gannavaram, which is also a part of Amaravati? Another criticism coming from many is that everything is getting concentrated in Amaravati while Vijayawada and Guntur are getting neglected? We had an airport in Begumpet, but see the kind difference Shamshabad airport made to Hyderabad. We need two, three airports for a city. Local people from Machilipatnam, Eluru, and Vijayawada will use Gannavaram airport. At the same time, we are not shifting anything from Vijayawada. We are creating a new ecosystem which will be useful for everybody. We are committed to the development of all regions.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Jubilee Hills BRS MLA Maganti passes away at 62
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