Tension in Rayalaseema Likely as Naidu Plans Roadshow at Pulivendula
Anantapur: Political heat is likely to rise again in the Rayalaseema region as TD chief Chandrababu Naidu would hold a road show at Pulivendula -- the home turf of chief minister Jagan Reddy -- to highlight the long delay in completion of the state’s irrigation projects.
Naidu plans to visit the irrigation projects in the region in Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur districts from August 1. He will hold a road show at Pulivendula town on August 2.
TD leaders in the region say the Naidu visit would help expose the lapses of the YSRC government vis-à-vis the incompletion of the final stage of the works and those that had been sanctioned during the TD term. “The rehabilitation programmes are also in an incomplete state. The people of the villages surrounding these projects are facing worse conditions,” they said.
On Wednesday, Chandrababu will visit Gandikota reservoir and its surrounding villages, where the people have been fighting for rehabilitation packages. He is scheduled to have a road show at Pulivendula the same day. In view of the violence at Kuppam reportedly due to resistance from TD cadres against YSRC’s efforts to retain their hold in the segment, the police were alerted over the likelihood of tension in Pulivendula town during the road show if Naidu targets CM Jagan.
During his road show at Pulivendula, the TD president is expected to offer his comment on the YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case. In anticipation, the YSRC has already started counter attacks on Naidu, branding him as ‘Rayalaseema Drohi’. Minister RK Roja observed that Naidu has no right to visit the irrigation projects as he “did nothing” for the region.
After the Pulivendula road show, Naidu will tour Anantapur and Satya Sai districts and visit the irrigation projects that are currently at various stages, TD politburo member Kalava Srinivasulu said.
