*Chandrababu betrayed Rayalaseema’s interests: Ramesh Yadav*

Tadepalli, Oct 6: YSRCP MLC Ramesh Yadav said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had done little for Rayalaseema despite repeatedly projecting himself as a son of the region, and charged the coalition government with weakening its irrigation, institutional and employment interests.

Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Ramesh Yadav said Rayalaseema’s major development initiatives were driven during the tenures of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said the coalition government was now shifting important institutions from Rayalaseema towards Amaravati while farmers in the region faced severe irrigation and drinking-water distress.

Questioning the government’s claim of spending Rs. 24,000 crore on irrigation, he asked how much additional ayacut had actually received water and whether even one extra cusec had reached Rayalaseema beyond what was supplied during the YSRCP government. He charged that irrigation works had become a vehicle for poor-quality contracts and corruption.

Ramesh Yadav questioned the proposed shifting of the MSME Technology Centre brought to Kopparthi, the move concerning the Human Rights Commission and Lokayukta established in Kurnool, and the failure to retain Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank’s headquarters in Kadapa. He also raised concerns over IIT Tirupati expansion, NIELIT and the Skill University proposed on 50 acres in Tirupati.

He said Y.S. Jagan completed land acquisition and expedited the Kuppam Branch Canal to take Krishna water to Chandrababu’s constituency. He also cited five new medical colleges sanctioned at Nandyal, Pulivendula, Madanapalle, Adoni and Penukonda with Rs. 2,500 crore, besides Rs. 1,275 crore for upgrading existing medical colleges in Tirupati, Kurnool, Anantapur and Kadapa.

Ramesh Yadav said the government’s new slogans such as “Rising Rayalaseema” and the proposed Rs. 1 lakh crore horticulture hub were being projected ahead of local-body elections. He said Rayalaseema’s people would judge the government on completed projects, irrigation, institutions and employment rather than announcements.