Numerous reasons to re-elect YSRC in AP, says Botsa

Vijayawada: Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana has come down heavily against Telugu Desam and its supporting media, saying they are misleading the public on the Jagan Mohan Reddy government’s welfare schemes.

“State one reason why the people should not vote for the YSRC in the coming elections,” he challenged the opposition at a media meet here on Thursday.

He said, “There are several reasons for the people to reelect the YSRC to power. They will realise its importance once they ponder over the welfare schemes of the Jagan Mohan Reddy government and the changes introduced by this government in the education and healthcare sectors.”

Describing Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu as an “invalid and outdated” coin, Satyanarayana recalled how the TD had faced defeat when he fielded candidates in all 175 seats. “Now, Naidu is fielding candidates in a lesser number of seats, in alliance with the Jana Sena, fearing a repetition of the humiliating defeat of 2019.”

“There is no guarantee that Naidu himself will retain his seat. Candidates are being changed by the YSRC this time for better results. We are giving importance to BCs and allocated Gajuwaka and Mangalagiri seats to BCs. Our style of allotment of tickets is different from others. Chandrababu has no guarantee to win even the Kuppam seat.”

The minister defended the decision of party president and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to change candidates in several constituencies. “It is very common to make such changes depending on the prevailing political situations. Those who had the chance of losing or were on the verge of defeat were replaced by new candidates.”

He dismissed talk of a brewing of dissatisfaction in the YSRC because of these changes. “On the whole, almost all the party leaders are extremely happy in the party. YSRC is going to be in power for another 20 years,” he claimed.

Refuting allegations of misuse of e-tabs given by the government to students, Satyanarayana stated that only the content installed in the Tab was from the online education player and it was provided free of cost to the students. There was no scope for corruption, he said.

He claimed that the government bore the expense for the tabs while the share for this from the Centre was meagre.