SIR: No Plan to Take Away Rivals’ Votes, Says Lokesh
The minister said the government was committed to transforming Mangalagiri into the “number one” constituency in Andhra Pradesh in terms of infrastructure, governance and public services
VIJAYAWADA: Education Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday asserted that the government didn’t aim to take away anyone’s votes, “but is focused solely on ensuring a transparent and foolproof voter registration process.”
He rejected allegations from the YSR Congress and said the data being used by the ruling alliance was already available in the public domain.
Addressing a media conference in Mangalagiri after inaugurating and laying the stones for several development projects, Lokesh said an application had been developed to help Telugu Desam workers streamline voter registration activities.
“We do not need to delete anyone’s votes. Our goal is to ensure proper voter enrolment. The allegations are politically motivated,” he said.
The minister said the government was committed to transforming Mangalagiri into the “number one” constituency in Andhra Pradesh in terms of infrastructure, governance and public services.
Recalling his defeat in the 2019 assembly elections by 5,300 votes, Lokesh said the setback motivated him to travel extensively across the constituency and understand people’s problems. Voters, he said, later rewarded him with one of the highest majorities in the state, in the 2024 elections.
Lokesh listed a series of development initiatives being implemented in the constituency, including those linked to drinking water, underground drainage, underground power infrastructure, a 100-bed hospital, restoration of libraries, parks, lakes, community halls and improved civic amenities.
He said the underground drainage project, sanctioned under the Urban Challenge Fund with support from MP, Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, would be personally monitored by him to ensure timely completion.
Claiming that the alliance government had fulfilled several promises within two years, Lokesh highlighted welfare measures such as the `4,000 pensions for senior citizens, `6,000 pensions for persons with disabilities, three free LPG cylinders annually, free bus travel for women and financial assistance under the Talliki Vandanam scheme.
He also cited support extended to fishermen, auto drivers and farmers through various welfare programmes.
Launching a sharp attack on YSRC president and former CM, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lokesh alleged that the opposition leader was disconnected from developments taking place in Andhra Pradesh and accused his party of spreading misinformation on governance and recruitment policies.
Defending the government’s teacher recruitment drive, the minister said 16,000 teaching posts had been filled within 150 days through a transparent DSC process after carefully examining reservation norms. He maintained that YSRC leaders had repeatedly attempted to obstruct recruitment through court cases and misleading campaigns.
