Fighting Against Demons in AP, Says CM Jagan

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said he has been fighting against demons obstructing the implementation of his welfare schemes in AP.

He was addressing a public meeting after launching this year’s financial assistance programme under the Amma Vodi in Kurupam town in Parvathipuram Manyam district on Wednesday.

“There is going to be a Kuruskhetra war. I am fighting against the Rakshas obstructing the welfare schemes meant for the poor. I have no media support or a Dattaputrudu (adopted son). I am fighting alone,’’ Jagan Mohan Reddy told a gathering of school children and locals of the tribal town of Kurupuram.

In a scathing attack on Telugu Desam chief  N. Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy said though he was chief minister for 14 years, Naidu never did any good to students, farmers or the elders. Now, as elections are approaching, Naidu has started a new drama with a mini manifesto. But, his track record is such that no one would believe in him. He had thrown his 2014 manifesto into the dustbin and ruled the state for five years.”

Referring to Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, the CM said, “Dattaputrudu (PK) boarded a truck called Varahi and started hurling abuses at other leaders. He is challenging us by slapping his thighs. We cannot behave like him or marry four times,’’ the Chief Minister said, tongue-in-cheek.

Earlier, the CM deposited an amount of ₹6,392.94 crore directly into the bank accounts of 42,61,965 mothers, to benefit 83,15,341 students from classes 1 to Intermediate. Education-related schemes alone cost the state government a huge sum of ₹66,7222 crore, he said.

Explaining how the schemes helped promote education among the poor in the state, he said that, in 2018, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) was as low as 84.48, significantly below the national average of 99.21. This placed AP at the lowest position among the 29 states. However, over the past four years, the state has experienced a remarkable surge in GER, with the ratio increasing from 84.48 to 100.8.

He highlighted how 67 students from AP had grabbed an opportunity to study in premier institutions like NIT, IIT and IIM this year alone.

Hoping that one in every family would become another Satya Nadella, the Chief Minister also announced a scholarship of ₹1.25 crore to each student who gets a chance to study in premier institutions abroad.

Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana said people used to talk about Kerala and Delhi while discussing education. But the whole country is now talking about the revolutionary changes in education in Andhra Pradesh.

Former deputy chief minister and Kurupam MLA Pamula Pusha Srivani said Manyam district topped in SSC results and most of these meritorious students were from government schools.