Latest news with #GadikotaSrikanthReddy
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
YSRCP delegation meets SEC
Guntur: YSRCP urged the State Election Commission to ensure that the upcoming local body by-elections are conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. A delegation of YSRCP leaders, including former chief whip Gadikota Srikanth Reddy, former MLA Malladi Vishnu, MLC Mondithoka Arun Kumar, and NTR District YSRCP president Devineni Avinash met SEC Neelam Sawhney here on Thursday and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns. The delegation emphasised the need for a free and fair electoral process, citing a deteriorating law-and-order situation and intimidation tactics by the ruling coalition that threaten the democratic rights of voters and candidates. The YSRCP leaders expressed alarm over the prevailing atmosphere of fear, which they claim prevents voters from exercising their franchise freely. They highlighted specific instances of intimidation, including a reported threat by a leader named B Tech Ravi in Pulivendula, YSR Kadapa district, who warned candidates against filing nominations. 'The ruling coalition is resorting to threats and violence to suppress opposition voices,' said Gadikota Srikanth Reddy. 'We have urged the SEC to appoint honest and competent officials to oversee the elections,' he said. The commissioner responded positively, noting that software for online nominations is ready and can be implemented upon government approval. The delegation demanded robust security measures, including police protection for candidates filing nominations and comprehensive CCTV surveillance from the nomination stage to vote counting. Former MLA Malladi Vishnu criticised the coalition government for undermining democracy through what he described as a 'Red Book Constitution' that enables attacks on political opponents. 'The law-and-order situation has collapsed, and the ruling party is conspiring to manipulate elections through police complicity and coercion,' he stated. Vishnu pointed to recent municipal and corporation elections where abductions and inducements were used to sway outcomes, underscoring the need for stringent action. MLC Mondithoka Arun Kumar accused the coalition government of orchestrating efforts to silence the opposition and prevent fair elections.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
YSRCP, CPM oppose Andhra government's power deal with Axis Energy
VIJAYAWADA: The YSRCP on Monday accused the coalition government of orchestrating a massive scam through its agreement with Axis Energy Venture Infra to purchase power at Rs 4.60 per unit. YSRCP spokesperson Gadikota Srikanth Reddy and former minister Gudivada Amarnath, in separate press conferences, claimed the deal imposes an undue financial burden on the public while benefiting a select few through alleged kickbacks. They contrasted the new deal with the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government's power procurement from SECI at Rs 2.49 per unit, stating the Rs 2.11 difference translates to an Rs 11,000 crore loss over time. The 25-year fixed-rate agreement, immune to market fluctuations, and alleged interference with the Regulatory Commission under Section 108, further reflect deep-rooted corruption, they said. YSRCP also noted that power sector dues ballooned from Rs 29,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 86,300 crore by 2019 under the TDP regime. In contrast, they said, the previous government slowed the growth to 7.2% CAGR despite the pandemic. They criticised the current government's decision, saying it contradicts Chief Minister Naidu's promise to lower power prices. Echoing the same, the CPM State unit has called for the cancellation of a power purchase agreement with Axis Energy Ventures, approved by APERC. They argue that the deal will burden citizens with Rs 15,000 crore over the next 25 years. The CPI(M) has urged public protests to demand the scrapping of the contract.
