YSRC Causing Communal Tensions For Political Gain: Lokesh

Anantapur: Education Minister Nara Lokesh has alleged that YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is attempting to create communal tensions for political gain without any real interest in the development of Rayalaseema.

Speaking at a meeting of TD leaders and activists at Dattaluru in Kondapuram mandal of Jammalamadugu constituency in Kadapa district on Friday, Lokesh lashed out at Jagan, accusing him of hatching conspiracies to create divisions among communities, and warned that no one involved in wrongdoing would be spared. “Jagan is an excellent actor. If he acts in films, he could even win an Oscar award.”

Lokesh thanked TD incharge CH Bhupesh Reddy for standing firmly by the party during difficult times and described Jammalamadugu as a land of courage and political strength.

He said, “The undivided Kadapa district had always supported the Telugu Desam and claimed that the party had emerged stronger after the 2024 elections despite “harassment from the YSRC government.

Referring to recent political incidents, Lokesh alleged that several controversies created during the YSRC term, including the Kodi Kathi and stone-pelting episodes, were politically motivated dramas. He also alleged that attempts were being made to trigger communal tension in Kadapa town recently.

Highlighting the welfare initiatives of the government, Lokesh said the administration was implementing both welfare and development programmes despite financial constraints.

TD, he said, believes in the principle that “party worker is leader”. The My TDP app was introduced to identify and encourage active party workers. Cases allegedly filed against TD activists during the YSRC term would be withdrawn,” he said.

Taking a dig at YSRC leaders, Lokesh said, “No one in Rayalaseema is afraid of the “Rappa Rappa” politics anymore. The people were scared of seeing red-coloured vehicles because of the Red Book controversy. Jagan Reddy was suffering from a “credit-stealing disorder,” he said, and accused the YSRC of continuously attempting to create friction within the ruling alliance.

On local development, Lokesh promised justice for the families displaced by the Gandikota reservoir project and reiterated the government’s commitment to complete the Rayalaseema steel plant by 2029.

The government, he said, launched Mission Rayalaseema with an outlay of `1 lakh crore to transform the region into a horticulture hub.

He announced that MSME companies would be brought to Jammalamadugu to create local employment opportunities.

Later, Lokesh interacted with party workers and members of the public and received petitions.

District in-charge minister S. Savitha, TD Jammalamadugu in-charge CH Bhupesh Reddy, constituency observer M Ramakrishna and others were present.