Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar says the NDA's victory in AP local body polls reflects public support for good governance, welfare schemes and development.
People Have Voted for Good Governance
Union Minister credits NDA leadership and welfare initiatives for electoral mandate says alliance won 88 of 92 municipalities
Pemmasani on NDA Victory in AP Local Body Polls
Mangalagiri: Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar on Wednesday described the NDA alliance's performance in the Andhra Pradesh local body elections as a strong endorsement of good governance, development and welfare initiatives.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP Central Office in Mangalagiri, he said voters had rejected what he described as the anarchic rule of the previous YSRCP government and extended their support to the NDA alliance. He said the victory reflected public confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nara Lokesh.
Dr. Pemmasani said the NDA government had introduced several measures over the past two and a half years to improve the lives of people across different sections of society.
He cited Anna Canteens, which provide meals to the poor, and monthly pensions of Rs. 4,000 for senior citizens and Rs. 6,000 for persons with disabilities as key welfare initiatives. He also said approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh crore had been disbursed through schemes such as Thalliki Vandanam, Deepam and Annadata Sukhibhava.
On infrastructure and employment, the Minister said work on major projects such as Amaravati and Polavaram had regained momentum. He also referred to the Mega DSC recruitment initiative and the Rayalaseema Rising programme, stating that they were creating confidence among youth and people in backward regions. He credited Minister Nara Lokesh's efforts with attracting investments and generating employment opportunities.
Comparing the current local body elections with those held during the previous YSRCP government, Dr. Pemmasani alleged that opposition candidates had faced intimidation, police cases and threats of welfare benefits being withheld after 2019.
He claimed that the previous regime had secured unanimous victories in nearly 50,000 of the 1.44 lakh seats, amounting to around 35 per cent, thereby weakening the democratic process.
In contrast, he said the latest elections had been conducted peacefully from Srikakulam to Kuppam. According to the Minister, the NDA alliance had won 88 of the 92 municipalities for which results had been declared, securing more than 90 per cent of the seats.
The Union Minister criticised the YSRCP leadership for questioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) following electoral defeats. He pointed out that the 2023 Graduate MLC elections, subsequent MLC polls and the latest local body elections were conducted using ballot papers.
Despite the use of ballot papers, he said, voters had rejected the YSRCP. He advised the opposition leadership to introspect and understand the reasons behind public dissatisfaction instead of questioning the voting process.
He also praised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's leadership, describing his approach as calm and democratic.
Dr. Pemmasani said 92 Central government schemes, which had reportedly stalled because the previous administration failed to provide the required matching grants, had been revived.
With Central assistance, work on three lakh rural houses, piped drinking water projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission and comprehensive road repairs had gained momentum, he said.
He also stated that 36 irrigation projects, including Polavaram, involving an estimated investment of Rs. 35,000 crore, were progressing.
Referring to electricity tariffs, the Minister alleged that the previous government had repeatedly increased power charges. He said the present administration was seeking to reduce the burden on consumers through a 'true-down' approach.
Expressing confidence in the State's development prospects, Dr. Pemmasani said Andhra Pradesh would emerge as one of the country's leading States over the next two and a half years.
