PNS|CHITTOOR
The Backward Classes (BCs) in Andhra Pradesh got real independence only after 1983 when the late NT Rama Rao formed the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and because of that great leader the community persons have grown politically in the State, said TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh, on Wednesday.
Lokesh had an interaction with the BC representatives at Diguva Madanapalle in the Chittoor Assembly segment as part of his ongoing pada yatra. Lokesh said TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s sole aim was, BCs should no longer suffer from poverty.
Lokesh said that the TDP government spent Rs 29,000 cr for BC welfare through the sub-plan only to encourage professional occupations. Of the 16 universities in the State, BCs have been appointed as vice-chancellors for nine universities, he said.
He said, “The chairman of the Finance Commission, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), and the AP Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation were all BCs.” Lokesh promised to revive all the schemes that are withdrawn now, once the TDP is back in the government. The 34 per cent reservation for the community too will be revived, he added.
While the former chief ministers, the Late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the Late Rosaiah, and Kiran Kumar Reddy, continued the development of the State for which Chandrababu laid the foundation, Jagan Mohan Reddy has totally destroyed the State, Lokesh remarked.
Lokesh made it clear that education in the mother tongue will continue while English medium too will be introduced. Denying the propaganda of YSRCP leaders that the secretariat system will be done away with once TDP comes to power, Lokesh made it clear that the system will be strengthened.
He further said that small and medium industries will be encouraged once the TDP is in power again. He also said that the prices of essentials, petrol, and diesel will be controlled and pointed out that as the minister for Panchayat Raj, he worked for laying roads for 25,000 km.
