PNS|Vijayawada
Leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), N Chandrababu Naidu, has promised to reduce electricity tariffs in Andhra Pradesh if his party is voted to power. Naidu expressed confidence in winning the upcoming elections and predicted a decline in support for the ruling YSRCP due to public dissatisfaction. During an event held at NTR Bhavan on Friday, Naidu welcomed over 1,000 activists who defected from the YSRCP to join the TDP.
Naidu criticised Chief Minister Jagan, accusing him of reneging on his promise to establish dairies and instead favouring the Amul company at the expense of the State’s residents. Naidu further alleged that the four-year reign of Jagan has brought misery to the people and even claimed that Jagan was responsible for the death of his own uncle. Naidu argued that Jagan’s unpopularity would result in his defeat in the Pulivendula constituency.
Additionally, Naidu labeled Proddatur MLA Rachamallu Sivaprasada Reddy as corrupt and referred to him as Bakasura (demon), citing the case of a TDP activist, Nandam Subbaiah, who was allegedly killed for questioning the MLA’s misconduct. Naidu also accused MLA Rachamallu of involvement in illegal activities such as gambling, gutka sales, and extortion from street vendors. Highlighting the financial struggles faced by the people under Jagan’s rule, Naidu claimed that electricity charges had been raised eightfold in four years, resulting in a burden of ?51,000 crore on the citizens. Naidu pledged that once the TDP assumes power, they will reduce electricity tariffs to alleviate the financial strain. He criticised the soaring prices of essential commodities, such as tomatoes reaching ?200 per kilogram, and asserted that during the TDP’s previous administration, they were able to effectively control price hikes—an area where Jagan has failed.
