The weaker sections got economic and political independence only during the TDP regime as the party has given total encouragement to them, said Nara Lokesh, TDP general secretary, on Friday.

Lokesh, who began his 208th of Yuva Galam pada yatra at Kalagampudi campsite, had an interaction with representatives of Setti Balija community who demanded pension for all those toddy tappers who have crossed 50 years of age. Pointing out that the Rs 5 lakh ex gratia that was paid by the earlier governments is now discontinued, they also appealed to Lokesh to reintroduce it once the TDP is back in power.

Fondly recalling the services of the Setti Balija community leaders, Lokesh said that the TDP has encouraged the leaders from the community like Reddy Subrahmanyam, who held the post of the chairman of Legislative Council, Anjara Ram Mohan, who has become MLC twice and Pitani Satyanarayana who was minister in the State Cabinet. Observing that Chandranna Bheema scheme was implemented for toddy tappers when the TDP was in power, he regretted that they are now left in the lurch.

The staff members of those who are working in the peshi of Minister, Venu Gopal, are not being paid salaries, he said that there are no funds with the corporation. Those who are selling toddy are being subjected to various kinds of harassment, Lokesh said and promised to come to their rescue once the TDP forms the coming government.

Reservation for toddy tappers in the sanction of liquor shops, Lokesh said that he will soon meet the coconut farmers to personally know their problems. Loans will be sanctioned on subsidy and neera cafes will be encouraged, Lokesh told them.

Lokesh visited the 13-year-old boy, Durga Prasad, who was seriously injured when the YSRCP goons attacked him at Gunupudi near Bhimavaram on August 5. He was among the gathering who wanted to have a glimpse of Mr Lokesh during the pada yatra and when the YSRCP goons pelted stones at Lokesh the boy suffered serious injuries.

The handloom sector in the State is in deep crisis due to the inefficient administration of Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Thursday.

The handloom workers in a memorandum to Lokesh raised various issues including non-availability of insurance scheme, no scholarships for their children and no free power. Responding to their problems, Lokesh said that at least 60 handloom workers committed suicide after Jagan came to power. Leave alone paying any ex gratia to their families, the Chief Minister did not bother even to console the bereaved family members, he said.

The TDP implemented loan waiver for the handloom workers, Lokesh said adding that when the TDP is back into power again all the welfare schemes will be reintroduced. Discussions will be held with the Centre to waive GST on handloom clothes, he added.

Representatives from various women organisations, Toorpu Kapu community, Rajaka community and others met Mr Lokesh and narrated their problems being faced by them. The TDP general secretary said that though the 3.13 lakh TIDCO houses are almost complete, the Jagan Reddy Government is not distributing them to the eligible beneficiaries. Soon after the TDP forms the next government houses will be built for the poor, Lokesh said.

Regretting that the local public representatives are not focusing on the problems being faced by the farmers and other sections of people, Lokesh promised to take steps to build an underpass after discussing the matter with local MP, Raghurama Krishnam Raju. Soon after the TDP is into power again steps will be taken to solve all the local issues, he told them.

Assuring the petty businessmen of sanctioning loans on subsidy once the TDP is into power again, Lokesh asked them to wait for just eight more months as the TDP is coming back to power again. Lokesh also promised to resolve all the problems of the building workers.

As the Yuva Galam pada yatra enters the Palakol Assembly segment, Lokesh is given a rousing reception by the TDP leaders and party activists. As the pada yatra entered Palakole segment at China Mamidipalli, the villagers gathered in large numbers to receive Lokesh while the TDP leaders of Narsapur segment gave a warm send off to him.

Observing that the attack on the Yuva Galam pada yatra has been perfectly planned, TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Wednesday said that the TDP leaders have high respect for the law and that he never made any comments against any individual.

Refusing to accept the notices by the police, Lokesh who is on his pada yatra told the officials who approached him to serve the notices that “you have come here to serve the notices on those who have violated the law. This is not the election time and how the police can argue that we can not engage so many vehicles,” Lokesh asked.

Maintaining that the pada yatra is being undertaken peacefully, the TDP general secretary made it clear that they have never created any kind of trouble anywhere. Why similar notices are not being served on the ruling YSRCP leaders and how notices can be served on him for undertaking pada yatra in such a peaceful manner, he asked.

Stating that he never violated the law and order in any part of the State, Lokesh said that he has already informed the police that a disturbance is likely to be created on September 4 at Bhimavaram. “We have all kinds of evidence on this and TV news channels also have highlighted this,” he added.

Lokesh asked the police officials to mention what he spoke against the Chief Minister and stated that the TDP has made several complaints but there is no action on them. Where are the TDP volunteers, who have been taken into custody, he asked and told the police officials to see to it that the law is equal for all.

The police suddenly attacked the Yuva Galam campsite at Bethapudi in West Godavari district at midnight on Tuesday and took 50 persons into custody. All those who are taken into custody are shifted to Kaikaluru police station and the police indiscriminately attack the volunteers.

Several TDP leaders on Wednesday strongly condemned the midnight attack on the pada yatra campsite and felt that Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, and the other ruling party leaders are unable to digest the tremendous response to the pada yatra. “When Lokesh is undertaking the pada yatra as per the route map submitted to the police why the YSRCP leaders could not digest it,” they asked.

Lokesh’s pada yatra touched the 2800 km milestone at Vempa village in Bhimavaram Assembly segment of the combined West Godavari district. On this occasion Lokesh promised to supply power at Rs 1.50 per unit for aqua farmers once the TDP is back in power.

Inefficient Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, miserably failed to utilise the funds released by the Centre for Jal Jeevan Mission following which the State is facing severe drinking water problem, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Monday.

Soon after the TDP is into power again the drinking water problem will be solved permanently and safe drinking water will be supplied to every doorstep through water grids, Lokesh told the villagers of Kolamuru of Vundi Assembly segment in the combined West Godavari district. The villagers met Lokesh during his Yuva Galam pada yatra and complained to him on various problems they are facing including severe drinking water crisis and frequent power-cuts.

Lokesh said that the Chief Minister, who revised the power tariff at least nine times in the past four years, is not focussing on supplying quality power to the consumers. “Immediately we are back in power we will ensure that quality power with no disturbances is supplied to the consumers. Also, the coming TDP government will also see to it that repairs to the water supply canals are taken up frequently,” Lokesh told the villagers.

Promising Minimum Support Price for paddy and other farm products, Lokesh stated that once the TDP forms the government all the welfare schemes will be reintroduced and pensions will be paid for all the eligible. The TDP general secretary assured the villagers that the ‘J’ brand liquor will be banned by the coming TDP rule.

Later at the Kotla Function Hall in Vundi, Lokesh interacted with aqua farmers who were mainly concerned with lack of cold storage facility for them and frequent power-cuts besides poor maintenance of the roads. Maintaining that there are no roads in West Godavari district, Lokesh promised them of rebuilding all the roads once the TDP is into power again. During the TDP regime the State was on top in the aqua sector in the country, Lokesh said that Jagan pushed it into a severe crisis.

“Within 100 days of coming back to power we will supply 24/7 power supply and the charges will be reduced to be closer to the common man. old storage facilities will be provided at all places where it is needed and aqua university will be established in the State,” Lokesh told the aqua farmers.

Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has made several promises to the Dalits and other sections of people before elections is showing his true colours after coming to power, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Saturday.

The Dalits of Singarajupalem in Gopalapuram Assembly segment in a memorandum brought to the notice of Lokesh that only those who are loyal to the ruling YSRCP are getting benefits like house-sites and pensions besides other welfare schemes while during TDP regime the benefits of all the schemes were extended to all the eligible beyond political considerations. While the earlier governments sanctioned loans on subsidy for Dalits, this Government has till now not extended any such loans to Dalits, they informed Lokesh.

Jagan, who has given flying kisses while in Opposition has totally cheated the Dalits after coming to power, Lokesh remarked and mentioned that the 27 welfare schemes implemented for Dalits by the TDP regime have been withdrawn now. “All the welfare schemes were launched during the TDP regime from Dalit wadas,” Lokesh said and promised to them that once the TDP is back in power all the schemes will be relaunched.

Roads and other basic amenities will be provided in all the rural areas and the SC Corporation will be strengthened to provide loans on subsidy for Dalits, he added. This apart, safe drinking water will be supplied to every doorstep and house-sites will be allotted to those who do not have any shelter, Lokesh said.

The TDP general secretary extended his wishes to Jana Sena chief, Pawan Kalyan, on his birthday. Lokesh also recalled the services of his maternal uncle, the late Hari Krishna, on his birth anniversary.

Lokesh’s Yuva Galam pada yatra entered the Unguturu Assembly segment from Gopalapuram where he is given a rousing welcome by party leaders and the cadre who gathered in large numbers to greet him. The TDP leaders from Gopalapuram who gave farewell to Loeksh included Maddipati Venkatraju and the former Zilla Parishad chairman, Mullapudi Bapiraju.

During an interaction with representatives of various social organisations of Unguturu, Lokesh said that the TDP’s goal is uplifting the BCs. The BCs got economic and political independence only after the formation of the TDP, he said, adding that various BC leaders were given key postings during the TDP regime.

Several leaders from the YSRCP belonging to different places in the Unguturu Assembly segment joined the TDP in the presence of Lokesh.

Strongly condemning the arrest of senior TDP leader and former minister, Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, in Visakhapatnam earlier in the day, party general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Friday made it clear that Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, can not stifle the voice of the TDP leaders with such unwarranted actions.

During his pada yatra on Friday, on learning about the arrest of Ayyannaptrudu, the TDP general secretary felt that such suppressive measures by the Government will lay the foundation for the revolt by the TDP. Do the ruling party leaders enjoy special powers, he asked.

Lokesh had a meeting with toddy tappers community representatives at Nallajerla who wanted 20 per cent reservation in the liquor shops allotment in the State. They informed Lokesh that though they are selling genuine material, the State Government is harassing them and is filing false cases against them only to sell the ‘J’ brand liquor.

Responding to their complaints, Lokesh said that the TDP has provided political and economic independence to the Backward Classes (BCs). Late NT Rama Rao has provided 24 per cent reservation for the BCs while Chandrababu Naidu later increased it to 34 per cent. BCs were given most important positions in the TDP government, he said, adding that a separate welfare corporation was set up for toddy tappers during the TDP regime.

While this Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, foisted false cases against the BCs while Amarnath Goud was inhumanly done to death as he opposed the harassment of his sister. The TDP is helping the family members of Amarnath Goud, he added. Soon after the TDP is back in power a separate legislation will be enacted for the safety and security of BCs, Lokesh said.

In a novel protest against the poor condition of roads in the State, Lokesh transplanted paddy seedlings on the road at Cheepurugudem in Gopalapuram Assembly segment during his pada yatra. Since bills worth Rs 1.3 lakh cr are pending the contractors are not coming forward to take up the works, Lokesh said and added that even the funds raised from global companies too have been diverted by Jagan.

The electrical workers, representatives of the Lorry Owners Association and others met Lokesh during his pada yatra and submitted memoranda mentioning their problems. Lokesh promised them that once the TDP forms the coming government all their problems will be addressed on a war-footing basis.

As the Yuva Galam of TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, completed 200 days on Thursday at Jangareddygudem of the combined West Godavari district, his mother, Nara Bhuvanesari, family members of Nara and Nandamuri actively participated in the pada yatra.

People from Chintalapudi and Polavaram Assembly segments also gathered in large numbers to greet Lokesh on the successful completion of his pada yatra for 200 days and reaching the 2700 km milestone. The TDP national general secretary began his Yuva Galam pada yatra on Thursday at Dandamudi Kalyana Mandapam in Jangareddygudem outskirts. Earlier, he actively took part in the Rakhi Purnima celebrations at the venue organised under the leadership of the senior party leader, Vangalapudi Anitha.

When the pada yatra reached the 2,700 km milestone at Seethampeta of Polavaram Assembly segment, Loeksh unveiled a pylon. He promised all those who are facing false police cases that all such false and illegal cases will be lifted once the TDP is back in the government. People will be freed from this autocratic rule, Lokesh remarked.

Later when the farmers from Narasannapalem raised various issues in a memorandum, including lack of proper power supply and no centres to purchase the farm products, Lokesh said that the farming is now in deep crisis due to the faulty policies being adopted by Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy. Assuring them that Minimum Support Price will be paid for all farm products soon after the TDP forms the government again, Loeksh told them that all the welfare schemes will be reintroduced by the next TDP government.

When the villagers of Bayyanagudem complained of unavailability of sand, Lokesh said that the sand mafia is ruling the roost in the State now and once the TDP is forming the coming government all such issues will be resolved. Those who are indulging in such sand mafia will have to face serious consequences once the TDP is back in power, Lokesh added.

“Thousands of grandmothers and sisters blessed me with healthy and long life on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and it is my responsibility to strictly follow the guidelines of the TDP to work for the safety and security of all, particularly women,” said Nara Lokesh, TDP general secretary, on Wednesday on the occasion of Rakhi Purnima.

While the TDP founder, late N T Rama Rao, has provided rights for women in property, former chief minister and TDP supremo, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has transformed the lives of women with various welfare schemes. “I will also follow these norms for your safety and security,” Lokesh said when some women tied rakhis to him during his Yuva Galam pada yatra on Wednesday.

Paying rich tributes to former minister, Paritala Ravi, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, Lokesh said that Ravi got a permanent place in the hearts of the people by waging a war against injustice and inequity. He was the virtual god for the poor, Lokesh said.

When the representatives of the fishermen community of Devalapalli of Chintalapudi Assembly segment of the combined West Godavari district complained to Lokesh that the local MLA is complaining to the district collector that they do not belong to the fishermen community, the TDP national general secretary said that soon after the TDP forms the coming government the GO 217 which has become an impediment to their livelihood. The fishponds will be allocated to them as earlier, he said.

The displaced of Greenfield Highway, in a memorandum complained to Lokesh that the compensation paid to them is very less compared to the market value. Though they have made several complaints on the land acquisition, they were not taken into consideration but the Government forcibly acquired their lands using police and revenue officials, they told Lokesh and made an appeal to him to pay proper compensation after the TDP is back in power.

It is the responsibility of the Government to do justice to those farmers who sacrificed their lands for public purposes. Lokesh felt and regretted that the provisions of Land Acquisition Act-2013 are not applied to these farmers. “As soon as we come back to power, justice will be done to the Greenfield Highway displaced farmers and alternate arrangements will be made to supply irrigation water to your lands,” Lokesh told the farmers.

TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Tuesday made it clear that only former chief minister and party supremo, Chandrababu Naidu, can complete the Polavaram project after the party forms the next government.

Terming polavaram project as a boon to the State, Lokesh told the project displaced at the Sriramavaram campsite during his Yuva Galam pada yatra that it is only the coming TDP government that can do justice to them. Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, is a bane for Polavaram, he said and pointed out that 72 per cent of the project works were completed and Rs 4,000 cr was spent for relief and rehabilitation of the project displaced when Chandrababu was the chief minister.

Since the projects taken up by the Centre were not moving forward at a fast pace, Chandrababu accelerated the Polavaram project works by convincing the Central Government, Lokesh explained. “What happened after Jagan has come to power. Initially he promised Rs 19 lakh package and later brought it down to Rs 10 lakh but now claiming that nothing is there in his hands and the amount can be paid to the displaced only if the Centre releases funds,” Lokesh told the displaced during an interaction.

The project is pushed into crisis due to the reverse tendering policy of Jagan, the TDP national general secretary observed and felt that the diaphragm wall and the guide bund got damaged due to Jagan’s negligence. The Chief Minister cheated the displaced by not fulfilling the promises made to them, he remarked.

Maintaining that the TDP will abide by the promise made to the displaced earlier, Lokesh assured them that soon after the party forms the coming government Polavaram will be completed after a detailed study. The displaced will not only be paid the compensation but also houses will be built to them, he added.

As per the recent I-PAC survey report, if Jagan goes for elections right now he will win only 25 Assembly seats and if the elections are held after six months he will confine himself to a single digit, Lokesh maintained and revealed that Jagan is thus going for early polls. The TDP, however, is ready to face the polls whenever held, he added.

Earlier, the Polavaram displaced raised various issues including non-payment of compensation to them and that they feeling totally insecure whenever there is flood situation. They complained that the State Government is not even paying minimum attention to them except asking them to vacate their places of residence. They also wanted reservation in employment in the State.

TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Saturday promised to supply irrigation water for the dry lands in the combined Krishna and West Godavari districts by completing the Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation scheme within two years of his party forming the government.

Unveiling a plaque at Simhadripuram village of Musunuru mandal of Nuzvid Assembly segment in the combined Krishna district on the occasion of his pada yatra touching the 2,600 km milestone, Lokesh said “I am promising that within two years of the TDP back in power the lift irrigation scheme will be completed to supply water to the dry lands in the two districts.”

The villagers of Korlakunta of Nuzvid Assembly segment in a memorandum to Lokesh raised various local issues, including large scale irregularities in the cooperative bank in their village. They also made an appeal to Lokesh to complete the Chintalapudi and Pittalavanipalem lift irrigation schemes.

Observing that the YSRCP leaders are illegally occupying even graveyards, the TDP national general secretary said that there is no rural development after Jagan Mohan Reddy has become the Chief Minister as the Rs 9,000 cr panchayat funds are diverted. Assuring the villagers that rural development will be given top priority by the coming TDP government, Lokesh said that all the developmental works that are stalled now will also be taken up.

The TDP national general secretary promised the villagers of Pothireddypally that all the lift irrigation schemes will be completed and pucca houses will be allotted to those who do not have shelter. In the coming TDP regime all the eligible will get the benefits of the welfare schemes without any bias, Lokesh added.

The villagers of Musunuru, including the Dalits, met Lokesh and submitted separate memorandums in which they mentioned various local issues, including lack of proper roads, no quality seeds and fertilisers and frequent power-cuts. Lokesh promised to resolve all these issues once the TDP forms the coming government.

Later, the TDP general secretary participated in the Rachabanda programme during which the villagers voiced various problems. Jagan, who has said that the welfare schemes will be implemented for all the eligible beyond any caste or communal considerations, is withdrawing the schemes on various grounds including caste and religion, the villagers complained.

Responding to them, Lokesh felt that welfare should follow the development but Jagan is going for debts to implement every scheme and thus he can not continue these schemes for long. The Chief Minister is indirectly imposing a heavy burden on the common man due to which the whole country is making fun of the State, he remarked.

Promising to bring down the fuel prices, Lokesh also assured the villagers to reduce the tax burden on them. Listing out the welfare schemes already announced by the party for various sections, Lokesh said that 20 lakh jobs will be provided to the youth besides providing free travel by the buses for women.

Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has taken all Dalits for a ride by not only unfulfilling the promises made to them but also diverting the Rs 28,147 cr SC sub-plan funds, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Friday and promised to lift all the false cases filed against the SCs and STs in the past four years.

Several representatives of the Dalit community from Tukkuluru calle on Lokesh during his pada yatra and in a memorandum submitted to him said that several false cases are being foisted against the Dalit community members. They said that the SCs from their area are reeling under various problems.

Instilling confidence among them that the coming TDP government will resolve all their problems, Lokesh told them that all the welfare schemes, including the Ambedkar Videsi Vidya Scheme, that were in force during the TDP regime will be reintroduced. Regretting that it has become a common practice in the YSRCP Government to harass innocent Dalits, Mr Lokesh said that all basic facilities will be provided in SC colonies once the TDP is back into power.

The Muslim minorities, in a memorandum informed Lokesh that they do not have any shelter and that their children are facing a lot of problems to pursue higher studies as the schemes which were implemented earlier are being discontinued by the State Government. Lokesh assured them that pucca houses will be built for all the homeless and the welfare schemes like Dulhan will be revived once the TDP forms the next government.

On the occasion of Varalakshmi Vratam on Friday Lokesh wished all the Telugus in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana besides those living across the country and abroad that let Goddess Varalakshmi shower blessings on all the Telugus on this auspicious day. “I pray to Goddess Lakshmi for your prosperous life. May you find all the delights of life, may all your dreams come true,” Lokesh said in a message released during his pada yatra.

Observing that irrigation projects were completely ruined during the Jagan Reddy Government, TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Thursday promised to take up the interlinking of Eluru canal with Polavaram channel.

The villagers of Ampapuram of Gannavaram Assembly constituency in the combined Krishna district in a memorandum submitted to Mr Lokesh during his pada yatra pointed out that the interlinking of the canals was initiated during the TDP regime and even sanctioned Rs 15 cr for the purpose. The villagers also informed Lokesh that the YSRCP Government has annulled the works and made an appeal to him to revive the project works, which will completely resolve the drinking and irrigation water problems for Eluru.

Regretting that the Annamayya project is washed out as the Jagan Reddy Government did not take up even maintenance of the irrigation projects, Lokesh said that once the TDP is back again into power the interlinking of these two canals will be taken up to permanently resolve the water problem. Though Rs 68,294 cr have been spent during the TDP regime for the irrigation project works, the YSRCP Government did not spend even one-fourth of this amount, he said.

When the villagers of Kodurupadu complained that the school sanctioned for their village by the TDP government had been cancelled after the YSRCP came to power, Lokesh said that the education system too was totally destroyed by the YSRCP Government. He assured the villagers of sanctioning the school again to their village besides completing the construction of the school building.

Lokesh promised the farmers of Bapulapadu mandal that the project displaced of the Polavaram right bank canal will be paid compensation soon after the TDP forms the next government. Drinking water will be provided to every doorstep and the TDP will certainly come to the rescue of the farming community by paying MSP to all farm products, he added.

Lokesh promised the Gowda community representatives, who met him during his pada yatra, that Adarana scheme will be reintroduced once the TDP is into power again and loans on subsidy will be sanctioned for the Toddy Tappers community. Lokesh maintained that TDP supremo, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has all the credit of initiating the interlinking of the Krishna-Godavari rivers through Pattiseema project.

Promising to implement the Chandranna Bheema scheme more forcibly after the TDP is back in power, party general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Monday said that liquor shops will be allotted to the toddy tappers community as per their quota.

Lokesh had an interaction with the representatives of various BC communities at the Nidamanur campsite before beginning his Yuva Galam pada yatra on Monday. When they poured out their woes before Lokesh, moved by their problems he said that Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has deceived the Nayee Brahmins too by not fulfilling the promise made to them that the services of those working in temples will be regularised.

Lokesh said that the TDP will discuss these issues and will take a positive decision. Pointing out that the TDP regime has allocated funds for MBC Corporation, Lokesh said that Jagan has formulated various welfare commissions but without any funds. The present situation is so bad that those who are working with these corporations are not getting their salaries, he remarked.

Rajaka community representatives and others also met Lokesh and submitted memorandums on the problems they are facing. The TDP national general secretary promised to resolve these issues once the party forms the next government.

Yarlagedda Venkat Rao joined the TDP in the presence of Lokesh at the Nidamanur campsite.

Investments will pour into the State immediately after the TDP is back into power and Information Technology (IT) companies will be set up in Visakhapatnam within 100 days of forming the government, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Wednesday.

Addressing the youth at Yerrabalem near Mangalagiri in Amaravati capital region in ‘Hello Lokesh’ programme organised during his ongoing Yuva Galam, the TDP general secretary said that he has undertaken the pada yatra only to raise the voice of the youth. “Since I have not committed any mistake till now I am still waging a war by remaining among the people,” he remarked.

Making it clear that building Amaravati will be completed within three years of the TDP forming the government, Lokesh said that the entire education system from KG to PG will be totally cleansed. Lokesh made it clear that the fee reimbursement scheme will be reintroduced by the TDP to ensure that the students overcome their financial difficulties and the vice chancellors of all the universities will be appointed beyond any political considerations.

The TDP is committed to the promise made to the youth to allot 40 per cent of the seats to them, Lokesh stated that a job calendar will be released every year as per schedule to fill all the vacancies in various government departments. Reiterating that the sole aim of his party is to build a poverty-free State, Lokesh said that a legislation will be enacted for the safety and security of women. “The provisions will be formed in such a way that anyone should get scared of looking at women,” he explained.

Regretting that the State is moving far behind with land mafia in a commanding position and attacks on innocent persons, the TDP general secretary called upon the people to vote for the TDP if they want the State to change for the better. “The State will be back on track only if the TDP supremo, Chandrababu Naidu, is back as chief minister,” Lokesh added.

The coming TDP government will accord highest priority to the irrigation and drinking water projects in the State, announced TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Monday.

The farmers of Petasannigandla of Macherla Assembly constituency in the combined Guntur district met Mr Lokesh during his Yuva Galam pada yatra and submitted a memorandum in which they said that the TDP government had launched lift irrigation works with Rs 3.80 cr but this Government is totally neglecting it. They appealed to Mr Lokesh to complete the pending works soon after the TDP forms the next government.

Responding to them, Lokesh said that this bankrupt Government, which could not even take up repair works to the project gates, can take up new projects. While the TDP government had spent Rs 68,294 cr on irrigation projects the YSRCP Government has spent only Rs 22,000 cr and the gates of Annamayya, Pulichintala and Gundlakamma projects were washed away, the TDP general secretary pointed out and promised to complete all the works once the TDP is back in power.

The people from Karempudi mandal complained of lack of drinking water and poor condition of roads. They also told Lokesh that they are facing untold hardships due to frequent power-cuts and made an appeal to him to resolve these issues after the TDP is into power again.

This Government is not in a position even to meet the drinking water needs of the people, Loeksh said and promised to supply safe drinking water soon after the TDP forms the coming government. Pointing out that the TDP government had laid roads to an extent of 25,000 km in various parts of the State, Lokesh said that this Government could not even undertake repairs to the damaged roads. He assured the Karempudi people that the TDP will certainly resolve all their problems and houses will be built for all those who have no roof to live-in, once the party is into power again.

When the representatives of the Muslim community from Karempudi wanted shadi khanas, Lokesh promised them that the coming TDP regime would permanently resolve all their issues. Expressing concern on the increasing attacks on Muslim minorities, Lokesh said that all those who are behind such attacks will be taken to task.