Botsa slams Budget, alleges neglect of AP

Leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, Botsa Satyanarayana, has strongly criticised the recently announced budget, alleging that it fails to address the state’s pressing needs. Speaking to the media in Visakhapatnam, he accused the government of paying mere lip service by mentioning eminent Telugu poet Gurajada Appa Rao without allocating substantial funds for Andhra Pradesh, while extending significant financial support to Bihar.
“While invoking Gurajada Appa Rao is a matter of pride, symbolic gestures alone do not drive development,” he remarked. He contended that the people of Andhra Pradesh had high expectations for developmental projects and financial assistance, but the budget had left them disillusioned. Botsa took particular exception to the proposed reduction in the height of the Polavaram project from 45.72 metres to 41.15 metres, warning of grave repercussions, particularly for North Andhra. Terming it a significant setback for the state’s water security and development, he announced plans to convene a meeting with experts and intellectuals to oppose the move.
He also launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), accusing Naidu of prioritising financial packages over securing special category status for Andhra Pradesh. He asserted that governance should be centred on public welfare rather than political expediency. Comparing the present administration with the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime, he claimed that under former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, the state witnessed a higher GDP growth rate than during the previous coalition government.
Raising concerns over the fate of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Botsa questioned Naidu’s silence on its proposed privatisation and criticised the budget for failing to safeguard its future. He also lambasted the government for not extending adequate assurances to farmers and neglecting promises made to women. Echoing Y.S. Jagan’s stance, he dismissed Naidu’s commitments as impractical and lacking feasibility, underscoring the importance of credibility in politics.
Highlighting industrial progress during the YSRCP regime, Botsa pointed to initiatives in the green energy sector and the establishment of bulk drug parks. He noted that multiple consultations had been held to facilitate projects such as the green hydrogen initiative and the bulk drug park during Y.S. Jagan’s tenure.