Chandrababu Naidu takes aim at Jagan over the economy, citing NTR. He says TDP is a pillar of the Telugu people

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former Andhra Pradesh Prime Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took aim at current Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at a TDP conclave on Saturday, saying his policies are negatively affecting the revenues of cast Andhra. Naidu also invoked the legacy of the party’s founder, the late NT Rama Rao, saying that the TDP is a pillar of support for the Telugu people living around the world.

Speaking at the party conclave in Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district, Naidu urged the people to restore the TDP to power.

“From day one, Jagan Reddy’s government has worked with the sole aim of destroying the state,” he said. He lamented that Andhra Pradesh’s revenues have fallen very low compared to neighboring Telangana. He said that both states’ revenues in 2019 – the year Jagan took office as CM – were almost equal in 2022-23, but there is a bigger difference. According to Naidu, Telangana revenue is 37,259 crore more than Andhra Pradesh in 2022–23.

He also said that the revenue generated by Andhra Pradesh through both GST and Registration Department was higher than Telangana revenue in 2019. However, by 2022/23 Telangana had overtaken Andhra on both fronts, he added.

“It’s all because there is no business activity in Andhra Pradesh,” Naidu claimed.

He said Andhra Pradesh would have prospered if all projects including the capital Amaravati were completed.

Addressing party members, supporters and people gathered at the conclave, Naidu said the TDP flag is a pillar for the Telugu community around the world. Referring to the party’s symbol, the cycle, he said the front wheel represented welfare, while the back wheel represented development.

He urged people to bring the TDP back to power, saying, “If some people stand in the way, let’s move forward by crushing them.”

Citing the late NTR, Naidu said the TDP founder brought global recognition to Telugu society. “We are descendants of such a great leader,” he said.

He also spoke about the cultural and traditional importance of Rajamahendravaram, where the party conclave is held. He pointed out the connection with the great 11th century poet Nannayya and also mentioned that the social reformer and writer Kandukuri Veeresalingam was born here and the British Raj engineer and critic Sir Arthur Cotton lived here in the 19th century.

Naidu called the conclave historic, noting that it took place in the same year as NTR’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

“Yellow is an auspicious color and people get excited when they see the Party flag,” he said.

He also said that the marginalized communities of Madigas and Dudekulas submitted a list of demands to the TDP. “From this platform, I assure all communities that justice will surely be done to them according to their population,” he said.