*Naidu squanders public money on publicity: YSRCP*

Tadepalli, Oct 10: YSRCP SC Wing State President and former MLA T.J.R. Sudhakar Babu slammed the Chandrababu Naidu government for squandering crores of public money on special flights, helicopters and publicity events while dismantling welfare schemes.

Addressing the media at the YSRCP Central Office, he said Andhra Pradesh was witnessing the spectacle of three Chief Ministers, with Chandrababu, Lokesh and Pawan Kalyan enjoying extravagant travel at public expense. He cited expenditure of Rs. 54.41 crore in 2024–25 and Rs. 54.63 crore in 2025–26, totalling Rs. 109.04 crore, besides another Rs. 31 crore spent in 2026–27.

Sudhakar Babu said Chandrababu had turned governance into event management, spending Rs. 44.62 crore on publicity arrangements while repeatedly relaunching existing schemes. He cited 28 pension distribution events, nine Mee Bhoomi–Mee Hakku programmes, 21 Swachh Andhra events and four Sanjeevani programmes. Of the 38 welfare schemes under Y.S. Jagan, the coalition had discontinued 34, he said.

He criticised the diversion of employment guarantee funds through Palle Panduga programmes and Chandrababu’s attempts to claim credit for Veligonda and Godavari water projects developed under previous governments.

Questioning the rebranding of pattadar passbooks, he said printing costs had increased from Rs. 55.79 to Rs. 76 per book and demanded to know who benefited from the difference.

He said Chandrababu’s speeches revolved around self-praise, attacks on Jagan and political diversion rather than drought relief, farmer compensation or implementation of Super Six promises.

Recalling that Jagan transferred Rs. 70,000 crore directly to SC beneficiaries, Sudhakar Babu questioned how Chandrababu could seek votes in the coming local body elections after abandoning welfare programmes, including Amma Vodi, Rythu Bharosa, fee reimbursement and housing assistance.