*Govt must face an open debate on BC Welfare: Chelluboyina*

Tadepalli, July 25: Former Minister Chelluboyina Venu Gopala Krishna challenged the Andhra Pradesh Government to an open public debate on the welfare and empowerment of Backward Classes (BCs), asserting that the YSR Congress Party is ready to compare its record in office with that of the present coalition government. Addressing the media at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, he said the venue and time for a live televised debate could be decided by the ruling party itself.
He said the coalition government has weakened BC welfare over the past two years and questioned why a community constituting 52 per cent of the State’s population was not given the post of Deputy Chief Minister. He stated that the YSRCP government had established 56 BC Corporations and directly transferred funds through DBT, while the present government announced only 40 corporations, leaving 16 without explanation. He also said nearly ₹10,000 crore in fee reimbursement dues have deprived BC and poor students of higher education opportunities.
Venu Gopala Krishna further said the government removed around 2.5 lakh volunteers and nearly 3.5 lakh personnel working in various sectors after assuming office. He demanded immediate payment of unemployment allowance arrears, stating that each eligible unemployed youth is entitled to ₹72,000 for the past two years. He also criticised the handling of agriculture, saying farmers continue to struggle due to irrigation and fertiliser issues.
Stating that YSRCP leaders have consistently raised issues affecting BC communities, he said the party would continue its fight to protect their rights. Referring to the alleged irregularities in the DSC recruitment process, he demanded that Education Minister Nara Lokesh accept responsibility and resign immediately, stating that the government has failed to answer the evidence placed before the public on the issue.