YSRC challenges Naidu on CBI probe

Vijayawada: Housing minister Jogi Ramesh on Thursday challenged Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu to face a CBI probe on assets acquired by the former CM without obtaining stay from courts. The minister’s challenge came following allegations that YSRC leaders are amassing wealth in the name of Jagananna housing colonies.

Speaking to media here, Jogi Ramesh said it is Naidu and senior TD leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu who have amassed huge assets by misusing power. The minister maintained that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will complete construction of houses and conduct mass houses openings by March 2023.

On charges that no houses have been constructed in AP during the past three years, Jogi Ramesh said during 2019–2020 no rural houses under PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) had been sanctioned to the state. In 2020–21, centre allocated 1.79 lakh houses under PMAY Rural, most of which have been completed and inaugurated by Jagan Mohan Reddy in Visakhapatnam on April 28 this year. 70,000 of those houses are in various stages of construction.

These apart, the minister said construction of 18.63 lakh houses is going on in Jagananna colonies at a fast pace. He declared that anyone, including Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh, can go to Jagananna colonies to view the progress in construction. “They can see how our elder sisters are building houses, which they will complete and occupy in March 2023,” Jogi Ramesh asserted.

He accused the TD chief of starting a new drama by declaring that there will be early elections in Andhra Pradesh. The minister said Naidu is spreading such news only to revive his dead Telugu Desam by appeasing his unenthusiastic leaders. He maintained that elections will be held as per schedule and this time, the former chief minister will also lose in Kuppam. “2024 election will be one-sided with YSR Congress winning all the 175 seats,” Jogi Ramesh declared.