Agriculture minister accuses TD, JS of fear in contesting elections without alliance

TIRUPATI: Agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy has said the Telugu Desam and Jana Sena feared defeat in the upcoming general elections if they contested the polls without a broader alliance.

Speaking to the media in Nellore, the minister criticised said both the parties lacked public support and hence engaged in a false propaganda against the YSRC government. “TD chief Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan have been frequently interacting with BJP leaders at the Centre, seeking their support for the coming elections. However, the BJP seems reluctant.”

The minister challenged both parties to participate in the elections without an alliance. He also criticised the TD for “copying” the schemes from the YSRC's manifesto, such as Amma Vodi and Rythu Bharosa, to present the recent mini-manifesto.

Govardhan Reddy alleged that during the TD term, the Janmabhoomi committees favoured TD members while distributing benefits of government schemes.

In response to Pawan Kalyan's comments against volunteers, the minister said several states have implemented the volunteer system by following the AP system. He criticised PK for making “baseless” comments.