TDP Slams YSRCP's Claims on Handri-Neeva Project as Political Drama

Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav has dismissed allegations by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regarding the neglect of the Handri-Neeva canal works under the NDA government. He accused the YSRCP of staging a political drama to regain lost public support. The remarks came as YSRCP leaders organised the ‘Chalo Cholasamudram’ event to highlight their claims of government inaction on the canal project.

TDP Defends Progress Under Naidu's Leadership

During an inspection of ongoing works at Uravakonda, Mr. Keshav, accompanied by Rayadurgam MLA and Chief Whip Kaluva Srinivasulu, countered the YSRCP’s allegations. He stated that significant progress had been made on the Handri-Neeva project between 2014 and 2019 under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, with roughly 35% of the work completed during that period.

The Finance Minister accused the YSRCP government, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of halting the project abruptly after coming to power, thereby stalling its progress. He criticised the ruling party for failing to allocate ₹500 crore for the project during its tenure and questioned why YSRCP leaders had not held Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy accountable for his unfulfilled promises regarding the canal’s expansion.

TDP Leaders Question YSRCP’s Moral Authority

TDP leaders alleged that the YSRCP had neglected its responsibility to expand the canal’s capacity to 6,000 cusecs and construct a parallel canal. “The YSRCP leaders, who halted the expansion works and failed to move a basket of earth, have no moral right to speak about the Handri-Neeva project,” they stated. They further emphasised that the expansion works were completed on a war footing within two years of the alliance government taking office.

Farmers’ Welfare Highlighted

Highlighting the importance of the Handri-Neeva project, Mr. Keshav and Mr. Srinivasulu described the works as a testament to Mr. Naidu’s commitment to the farmers and residents of Anantapur district. They expressed confidence that the YSRCP would not return to power and predicted that the people would once again place their trust in Mr. Naidu’s leadership. TDP district general secretary Sridhar Chowdary was also present during the inspection.

Source: The Hindu