Visakhapatnam: Social welfare minister Merugu Nagarjuna has praised Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for championing the cause of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Backward Classes (BC), and Minorities and spearheading a social revolution in Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing a public meeting in Ongole on Wednesday, as part of the YSRC’s Samajika Sadhikara Yatra, Nagarjuna asserted that the chief minister was following in the footsteps of Babasaheb Ambedkar and working for the poor.
Minister Adimulapu Suresh praised Andhra Pradesh as an "exemplary model" for other states in educational reforms such as the introduction of English medium in government schools and the volunteer system.
Minister Vidadala Rajini drew a parallel between Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy, highlighting the YSRC government's efforts to provide welfare, development and job opportunities to Dalits and tribals.
MPs Vijayasai Reddy, R. Krishnaiah, Magunta Srinivasulu, Nandigam Suresh, MLAs Balineni Srinivasa, Hafeez Khan, KP Nagarjuna, TJR Sudhakar, MLCs Jupudi Prabhakar, Potula Sunitha and others participated in the meeting.
In the Banaganapalle constituency, deputy chief minister Narayana Swamy explained the social empowerment approach of the chief minister that encompassed all while “Chandrababu Naidu's focus was on the empowerment of his own caste.”
Deputy CM Amzath Basha highlighted the chief minister’s steps such as appointing an SC woman as the home minister and a minority member as deputy chief minister.
Tirupati MP M Gurumurthy questioned the effectiveness of Chandrababu Naidu's 40 years of political experience and alleged that he did little for the welfare of the poor and marginalized communities.
In Visakhapatnam South Constituency, the YSRC Social Empowerment Bus Yatra started from Diamond Park and passed through Daba Gardens, Jagdamba Centre and Purna Market before reaching the Town New Road.
During a public meeting, Minister Chelluboina said Jagan Reddy symbolized truth. He praised Jagananna Ammaodi, calling it a divine remedy that eradicated child labour.
MLA Vasupalli Ganesh of Vizag Southern constituency said CM Jagan has decided to make a fisherman an MLA for the third time, and this showed he gave equal opportunities to all castes. Waqf Board chairman Khader Bhasha praised the CM for giving a deputy CM post to the minorities.
Speaker Tammineni Sitaram said Jagan Reddy’s victory must begin from North Andhra. Fisheries minister Sidiri Appalaraju criticised the protests in Amaravati, accusing the farmers there of being selfish. He said making Visakhapatnam the executive capital was a boon for North Andhra.
IT minister Gudivada Amarnath, Rajya Sabha members Venkata Ramana, MLA Vasupalli Ganesh, MLC Varudu Kalyani and Vamsikrishna Srinivas addressed the gathering.
