Jagan flays govt. over fuel prices, Amaravati debt

YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a tirade against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the ruling coalition government, accusing it of failing to fulfil election promises, mismanaging the economy and suppressing dissent across Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the recent rise in petrol and diesel prices, alleging that the coalition government had betrayed public trust by failing to implement its pre-election promise of reducing fuel taxes. Instead of providing relief from rising living costs, the government had imposed an additional burden on common people, he said.

Referring to the recent fuel shortage crisis, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the government of mishandling fuel supply systems and alleged that attempts were made to divert fuel for commercial purposes, worsening public inconvenience. He also criticised Mr. Naidu over his recent remarks encouraging families to have more children, calling the statements insensitive and disconnected from ground realities.

He questioned how ordinary families struggling with inflation and unemployment could afford to raise three or four children. He alleged that the government had neglected healthcare, education and agriculture while spending heavily on Amaravati infrastructure projects.

From women’s rights perspective, he said women should not be viewed merely as instruments for population growth and stressed that dignity and empowerment were more important.

The YSRCP chief further accused the Telugu Desam Party-led government of encouraging “gun culture” and violence-driven politics. He alleged that TDP leaders and sections of affiliated media were spreading false narratives against the YSRCP. Referring to incidents involving Y.S. Raja Reddy, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, he claimed his family had long been victims of political violence.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy referred to the murder of former Vijayawada leader Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, alleging that suspicion in the case had historically pointed towards leaders associated with the TDP. He also mentioned the death of journalist Pingali Dasaratha Ram, claiming he was targeted for exposing corruption during the TDP regime.

On Amaravati, Mr. Jagan alleged that excessive borrowing for capital city projects could push the State into financial distress, claiming the works may cost nearly ₹2 lakh crore. He also accused the government of suppressing free speech, filing false cases against YSRCP workers over social media posts and pressuring online social media platforms to remove content critical of the government