Naidu Slams YSRC Boycott of Assembly, Hails Photo Journalists

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday came down heavily on the YSRC for boycotting the Assembly and Legislative Council, saying that he had never witnessed an entire political party shunning the legislature in his long political career.

Describing the Assembly as the “highest forum” in a democracy and akin to a temple, Naidu said public issues raised inside the house carried value and received due recognition. “Whatever the YSRC members speak while sitting outside will have no value,” he said during an informal interaction with the media in the assembly lobby.

Naidu recalled that in 1978, leaders such as M. Venkaiah Naidu and S. Jaipal Reddy, despite being only two members, had made their presence felt strongly in the legislature. He also pointed out that although N.T. Rama Rao did not attend the assembly for some time between 1989 and 1994, other party legislators continued to attend the house and fight on behalf of the people.

Similarly, between 2019 and 2024, when he had walked out after challenging the then government, his party MLAs continued their fight in the Assembly until the last day, he said.

The Chief Minister alleged that YSRC members were staying away from the house to avoid questions over alleged Group-I irregularities while levelling accusations against the government over the DSC recruitment process.

Naidu questioned whether the leader of the YSRC, which he sarcastically referred to as the “axe party”, had any right to remain in politics while undermining democratic institutions. He said the sustained fight by his party members over public issues in the legislature had forced people to take note of them. He said voters elected legislators with the expectation that they would raise their problems and fight for their interests in the assembly.

The CM also claimed that his government had restored BC reservations that had been curtailed by the previous YSRC government. All sections had welcomed the “historic” decision, he said, and asserted that people were no longer willing to believe or pay attention to the claims made by the YSRC leadership.

Earlier, Naidu turned photographer for a while as the assembly premises marked World Photography Day. Meeting photojournalists, he greeted them and personally picked up a camera to take a group photo of the photographers.

Complimenting photojournalists for documenting history and preserving memories, the chief minister said he considered it an honour to interact with media and professional photographers. He praised their dedication, creativity and sustained efforts in capturing significant moments.

Every photograph, he said, preserved a memorable moment in time for future generations. Photographers also gave a voice to many untold stories through their images, he observed.

Extending his greetings to photographers across the world, Naidu expressed the hope that they would continue capturing enduring moments that inform and inspire people.