Buggana slams govt for public discontent, Budget delay

Former minister Buggana Rajendranath has criticised the three-month-old TDP coalition government, highlighting the widespread public dissatisfaction normally seen after several years of governance, which he claimed has already emerged within a few months. He condemned the government for its failure to present a budget despite being in power for three months while continuing to blame the previous YSRCP government for its shortcomings.
Speaking to the media at the Somajiguda Press Club in Hyderabad on Monday, the former finance minister mocked the coalition’s “Super Six” promises, stating that people are still waiting for the promised financial assistance of Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 18,000, which have not been delivered. He noted that these unmet promises are being heard across the state, causing growing frustration among the public.
Buggana also raised concerns about the current government’s increasing debts, citing loans of Rs. 2,000 crore on June 11, Rs 5,000 crore on July 2, Rs 2,000 crore on July 16, Rs 3,000 crore on July 30, Rs 3,000 crore on August 27, and Rs 4,000 crore on September 3, 2024. He pointed out the inconsistency in how the previous YSRCP government’s borrowing was heavily scrutinised, while the coalition government’s significant loans have not received the same level of questioning. He also mentioned that the focus has shifted towards promoting former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, creating the impression that Naidu is responsible for any progress in the State, while ignoring the financial mismanagement of the current government.
He praised the efforts of the YSRCP government from 2019 to 2024, particularly on the Polavaram project, which was initiated by Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in 2005. He criticised the TDP government for delaying the project from 2014 to 2019, despite the YSRCP securing Rs. 12,911 crore in funding and working hard to push the project forward. He also mentioned that Rs. 17,144 crore was proposed in June 2023 for Phase 1 rehabilitation in areas affected by the project’s height of 41.15 metres. Buggana accused the previous TDP government of making flawed agreements with the central government, focusing only on the irrigation components and neglecting crucial aspects like rehabilitation and resettlement. He criticised the TDP for underestimating the project’s funding, agreeing to only Rs. 20,000 crore when Rs. 55,000 crore was required.
Buggana took the opportunity to highlight YSRCP’s achievements, including securing national project status for Polavaram in 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He argued that, despite the current coalition government claiming credit for these accomplishments, it had done little to move the project forward. He challenged the coalition to name any significant achievements during their four months in office, calling their tenure a failure in delivering real benefits to the public.