TDP MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao says the NDA's local poll victory reflects public support for welfare schemes, infrastructure development and employment initiatives in Andhra Pradesh.
Bonda Umamaheswara Rao Credits NDA’s Local Poll Victory to Welfare and Development
TDP MLA says voters have endorsed 27 months of coalition governance
Highlights welfare spending, reservations, infrastructure and job creation
Mangalagiri: TDP MLA and senior party leader Bonda Umamaheswara Rao on Wednesday described the NDA coalition's performance in the Andhra Pradesh local body elections as a strong endorsement of the government's welfare and development initiatives over the past 27 months.
Addressing the media at the TDP Central Office in Mangalagiri, he thanked voters for supporting the ruling alliance and said the results reflected public confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He referred to the coalition's performance in 12 municipal corporations and 83 municipalities as evidence of the government's efforts to fulfil its commitments.
Bonda Umamaheswara Rao recalled that the people had given the TDP-led alliance a decisive mandate in the 2024 Assembly elections, with 164 seats, to restore the State's development momentum. He said the latest local body results showed that the government had retained public confidence.
The TDP MLA said the recent elections were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, contrasting them with the 2021 local body elections held during the previous YSRCP government.
He recalled the incident in Macherla, where he alleged that an attempt had been made on his life, and said the episode remained a reminder of the political violence of that period.
He also alleged that supporters of Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Mithun Reddy attempted to create tension during the recent nomination process in Pulivendula and Punganur through incidents involving vehicle arson and the display of weapons. He said voters had rejected such tactics through their electoral verdict.
Referring to the opposition's criticism of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Bonda Umamaheswara Rao said the YSRCP had questioned the machines after its defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections and demanded a return to ballot papers.
He pointed out that the recent local body elections were conducted using ballot papers, but the results again favoured the NDA alliance. He said the opposition should accept the people's verdict rather than continue questioning the electoral process.
The MLA also alleged that the YSRCP struggled to field candidates in several places during the civic elections.
Highlighting the government's welfare initiatives, Bonda Umamaheswara Rao said the coalition had spent around Rs. 1.5 lakh crore on welfare programmes during the past 27 months, including more than Rs. 75,000 crore towards pensions.
He said the monthly social security pension had been increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4,000. The pension for persons with disabilities had been raised to Rs. 6,000, while bedridden beneficiaries were receiving Rs. 10,000 and thalassemia patients Rs. 15,000 per month, he said.
The MLA also cited the Stree Shakti scheme, which provides free public transport for women, and Thalliki Vandanam, under which financial assistance is extended to eligible children in a household.
He said the revival of Anna Canteens had enabled working people and the poor to access meals at Rs. 5. The farming community had also received Rs. 15,000 crore in direct financial assistance, he added.
On reservations, he said the government had ensured 40 per cent representation for Backward Classes in the local body elections and 50 per cent reservation for women across local bodies. He alleged that the previous YSRCP government had failed to fulfil its promise of 34 per cent reservation for BCs.
The TDP MLA said the government had drawn up an urban development master plan involving Rs. 50,000 crore to improve civic infrastructure across the State.
He cited the completion of 9,890 kilometres of surface drains at a cost of Rs. 8,216 crore, along with the construction of 1,484 kilometres of underground drainage networks. Walking tracks and parks had also been developed in 502 towns, he said.
On investments and employment, Bonda Umamaheswara Rao said the State had secured investment commitments exceeding Rs. 20 lakh crore, with the potential to create 20 lakh jobs. He referred to recruitment initiatives such as Mega DSC and the hiring of Sub-Inspectors and constables as measures to improve employment opportunities for young people.
He also said the government was working with the Centre to accelerate 36 irrigation and drinking water projects despite financial constraints.
Referring to the government's response to two recent cyclones, the MLA said the administration had taken steps to protect people and minimise hardship during natural disasters.
He expressed confidence that the NDA alliance would perform well in the forthcoming ZPTC and MPTC elections and said the recent local body results reflected the alliance's support across the State.
He also expressed confidence that the coalition would secure a stronger mandate in the 2029 general elections.
