Affirming that Y S R Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will turn a new leaf in the state polity in terms of development and welfare measures with his vision and programmes, Reddy's sister, Y.S Sharmila, has appealed to the voters to pronounce their verdict decisively in the ensuing elections to enable the Party to have a say in the formation of government at the Centre.
As part of her YSR Praja Garjana electioneering she said "We have seen the dark age of Chandrababu Naidu and the reversal of that period by YSR regime which was followed by a slide into backwardness after the death of YSR.
"YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is the need of the hour that can steer the state towards development, and ensure that all sections of the people are happy as he has a vision like YSR who balanced welfare and development," said Sharmila, while addressing a public meeting here on Friday.
"He has made five promises and vowed to develop the state into the best one among the country and I appeal you to vote for YSRCP fan symbol to usher in a welfare state. YSR knew the pulse of the people and has launched welfare schemes that have touched every section of the society," she said.
"Through Aarogyasri, he could provide quality treatment to the poor, Jalayagnam, free power and waiver of loans and interest has infused confidence in the farmers who produced bounty crops, started fees reimbursement scheme for students who immensely benefitted and are leading comfortable lives now, empowered women through pavala vaddi scheme, increased pensions to senior citizens, built record number of houses other things," she added.
She further said that despite taking up so many welfare schemes Reddy did not increase power tariff and hike bus fares.
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"Despite taking up so many welfare schemes, he did not increase power tariff, hike bus fares and the common man was not burdened. The price of gas cylinder was Rs 300 when he took over as chief minister, and it remained the same till his death. This shows the commitment of a leader and his concern for the weaker sections, minorities and women," said Sharmila.
"YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is true heir of YSR who will be doing more for child education, pensioners, farmers, DWACRA groups and to decentralize administration. After the death of YSR, came Kiran Kumar Reddy in a sealed cover. He has increased power charges exorbitantly and burdened the consumers to a tune of Rs 32,000 crores additionally," she said.
"He went on a spree of increasing prices, fares and tariffs affecting the common man. The Congress has included the name of YSR in the FIR and put YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in jail for no fault of his," she added.
She also said that instead of questioning the Congress, Chandrababu Naidu went on a Save Congress mission
"Instead of questioning the Congress, Chandrababu Naidu joined hands and went on a Save Congress mission. Chiranjeevi has merged his Party and served Congress but Naidu has been doing it from outside," said Sharmila.
"He worked only to further his personal interests and had secret pacts with Delhi to save his skin from the various corruption charges he has been facing. He has been instrumental in dividing the state as he gave an unconditional letter. YSRCP has knocked at every door took up every form of agitation to keep the state united but the vested interests had axed the state," she said.
"It is time for us to rebuild the state and shape it into a vibrant one and a leader like YS Jagan Mohan Reddy only has the competence to do it. We have seen what Chandrababu Babu Naidu has done during his nine year term. It was a dark age in the history of the state. He had scant respect for agriculture and farmers. He has never reviewed the education scenario in the state," she added.
She further said that he ran the government like a corporate office.
"He has run the government like a corporate office and has collected user charges from poor patients in government hospitals while YSR has made corporate hospitals accessible to the poor. He increased power charges eight times in eight years and was very harsh on defaulters," she said.
"With such a dubious history, Naidu is coming to people seeking votes. It is time, people make up their minds and throw out the divisive and dishonest forces and elect a capable leader like YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to see better days and a welfare state," she added.