*Naidu using diversion politics to target YS Jagan: Y. Visweswara Reddy*

Anantapur, May 25: Former MLA Y. Visweswara Reddy strongly criticised the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government for abandoning governance and resorting to continuous character assassination against YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to divert public attention from its failures. Addressing the media in Anantapur, he questioned why the ruling alliance is attacking YSRCP every single day despite the party having only 11 seats, stating that the government is unable to fulfil the promises made to people and is therefore indulging in diversion politics.
Visweswara Reddy condemned the repeated branding of YSRCP as a “goddali party” and asserted that leaders in the TDP themselves carry a violent political history. Referring to Uravakonda politics, he stated that faction violence in the region began during the TDP regime and alleged that TDP-linked groups were responsible for the murders of his father and brother. He also recalled that even Communist parties had earlier released pamphlets against the family of TDP leader Payyavula Keshav.

He stated that faction politics and pseudo-Naxalism in Anantapur significantly declined only after the leadership and interventions of former Chief Minister Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who brought political stability through dialogue and people-centric governance. He described YSR as a leader whose photograph could be found in every household because of his deep connection with the people.
Calling YS Jagan Mohan Reddy a humanitarian leader, Visweswara Reddy said his government introduced transformative reforms in education, healthcare, and social justice. He highlighted the establishment of 17 government medical colleges, support to farmer families, and settlement of DWCRA loans as examples of welfare-oriented governance. He stated that YS Jagan never encouraged faction politics and always believed in democratic and welfare-driven administration.
The former MLA also accused the coalition government of filing false cases against journalists and suppressing democratic freedoms. “Is there no freedom left even to question the government?” he asked, while criticising the government for allegedly accumulating over Rs.3.40 lakh crore in debt within two years.
He further expressed concern over the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and RTC, and urged political parties to move away from personal attacks and instead engage in policy-based discussions. Visweswara Reddy warned that Andhra Pradesh should not be pushed back into an era of faction politics and called for a complete end to hate-driven political narratives.