Senior TDP leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu demanded a high-level investigation into the quid pro deals in Kakinada Special Economic Zone and Visakhapatnam Bay Park area. Yanamala alleged that Jagan and his team had acquired prime lands in Rushikonda worth Rs 300 crore in various benami deals.

After amassing huge wealth through illegal means by misusing the office of his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan is now back at what he is best – benami transactions and quid pro quo deals.

“According the CBI chargesheet, Jagan accepted Rs 1,172 crore from various investors as a bribe and in turn helped them get favours from the state government. The favours are mainly land, mining leases and licences for new industries. 2004-2009 can be called the Quid Pro Quo I period when Jagan had amassed massive wealth. 2019-2020 can be the Quid Pro Quo II period,” Yanamala alleged.

The CBI in its First Information Report (FIR) had named 73 firms and individuals in connection with the quid pro quo case, apart from Jagan as accused number oneand his financial advisor V Vijayasai Reddy as accused number two, Aurobindo Pharma (accused three) and Hetero (accused four), Yanamala reminded.

Aurobindo and Hetero groups were allotted more than 60 ha on lease at Rs 17.5lakh a ha in the green industrial park of APIIC at Jadcherla in Mahbubnagar without proper assessment of requirement of land, Yanamala recalled.

After acquiring lands in Kakinada SEZ through benami and quid pro quo transactions with Aurobindo Group, Jagan has now usurped the lands in Vishakapatnam Bay Park area by entering into quid pro quo deals with Hetero Group.

“During the TDP regime, we have developed an eco-tourism project and Bay Park on 76 acres of land in Rushikonda at a cost of Rs 120 crore. The land is now worth Rs 300 crore and has exchanged hands. The government is handing over around 9 acres of land which is worth Rs 225 crore. This is a benami transaction. The central government should order a high-level probe into the land deal,” Yanamala charged.

He stated that the TDP will bring the issue to the notice of the central government and demand a thorough investigation into the Vizag Bay Park area benami and quid pro quo deals.

Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has accused the Jaganmohan Reddy Government of running a feudalistic and unconstitutional regime in Andhra Pradesh in violation of the country’s federal-cum-unitary framework. He asked why AP Governor was not sending the ‘unlawful’ Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill and the CRDA Repeal Bill to the Central Government as per Article 200 of the Constitution of India. Inordinate delay was being caused in such an important Constitutional issue. The TDP leader demanded clarification why a lot of delay was being caused in reinstatement of Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar as State Election Commission. The reinstatement should be done as per the orders of the AP High Court and the Supreme Court of India. As these violations created a Constitutional crisis, the Centre should interfere and settle the issues without further delay. The Constitution named India as a ‘Union of States’ while Andhra Pradesh became an exception as it was being run by a feudalist who was violating all federal and unitary norms.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu asserted that as the courts have already said, Article 243 (k) was violated in Andhra Pradesh. Hence, a dire necessity has arisen for the Central Government to invoke Articles 355, 256 and 257 to make sure the AP Government would be run in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India. The TDP was not demanding Articles 356 and 360 for the President’s rule or financial emergency as of now. But, the Centre’s intervention was needed as the YSRCP Government’s 3 Capitals and CRDA Repeal Bills were grossly violating the AP Reorganisation Act 2014. The Two Bills indisputably came under the purview of the Reorganisation Act 2014 that was passed by the Central Government. It was not clear why the Centre was not interfering when these Bills were brought amid such gross violations. Though administrative, legislature and financial powers were demarcated between the Centre and the States, the Constitution gave key powers to the Centre under Articles 2, 3, 4, 200, 256, 257, 355, 356, 360, etc. Under these Articles, the Centre can interfere and bring back order in any State where the Constitutional violations crossed a tolerable limit.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu categorically said that the Governor should not sign on the two Bills without taking prior approval of the President as per Articles 200 and 201. Though the AP Government has the power to introduce these Bills, it cannot implement the same without the approval of the Central Government or the President. The Bills were in violation of AP Reorganisation Act 2014. So, the Governor has no option except to take prior approval of the President as per Article 200. It may be recalled the President signed on the Reorganisation Act 2014 on March 14 ‘for the reorganization of existing state of Andhra Pradesh and ‘for matters connected therewith’. The Section 5(2) Sub-Section (1) of Reorganisation Act has clearly mentioned the creation of ‘a Capital’ but not 3 Capitals. As part of this, Amaravati was identified and finalised as the new Capital City for AP in accordance with the Reorganisation Act. Hence, the Centre should interfere on the issue of the Two Bills just as it has suggested to the State Government not to go forward with the cancellation of PPAs of solar power companies. The question of violations of federal spirit would not arise as the Centre can interfere if a State Government crosses a line with regard to the Constitutional violations.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu said that the Constitution has laid down that none of the entities should cross their boundaries of authority but in Andhra Pradesh, this was being violated blatantly. Constitutional expert Prof. KP Mukherjee has clarified that India is federal in nature but unitary in soul. There is only one Constitution for the whole of India but there are not separate Constitutions for the States. Hence, the Centre should set things right in respect of the two unconstitutional Bills being pursued in AP now.

The YSRCP government’s multiple advisors are raising lots of questions on different public issues including the controversy-ridden two Bills relating to the Capital shifting. A latest question was asked by Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, Chief Minister’s Advisor (Public Affairs), on whether the previous TDP regime took approval of the President of India or not for the construction of Amaravati. It has created a political storm. The Advisor was oblivious of the fact that Amaravati was identified and developed as per the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which was passed with the express consent and approval of the President at that time.

TDP former Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu reminded the Government’s Advisor once again of how the Central Government formed the Experts Committee that recommended Capital for residual Andhra Pradesh in the region of Amaravati which is located in between the two cities of Vijayawada and Guntur. Based on this Experts Committee’s recommendation alone, Amaravati was finalised as Capital. Hence, it would require again the signature of the President and the approval of the Central Government for shifting Capital from its present location.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu, also TDP Floor Leader in Council, said that the President’s signature was required for any law made by the State Government if it violated an Act already being implemented by the Centre. The Section 5 (2) and Sub Section (1) in the Reorganisation Act clearly mentioned development of ‘a Capital’ but not 3 or multiple Capitals for AP. Whereas, Section 6 led to appointment of the Experts Committee for identifying ‘a Capital’. The CM’s Advisors should keenly study all these laws and sections so as to get clarity. Only then, they would be able to give proper and constructive advice to the State government.

Asking the Advisors to follow the bifurcation Act carefully, the TDP ex Minister said the AP Capital issue was inseparably interlinked with the Parliament Act. The TDP was only strongly objecting to the attempts by the ruling YSRCP to bring a different law through the backdoor. The State would have to mandatorily take the President’s consent for any law that it was trying to make in violation of a previous law passed by the Parliament.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu asserted that the two Bills brought by YCP were pending with the Select Committee in the Legislative Council. The AP Government Advocate General has already informed this to the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. From this, it was clear that the YSRCP regime adopted dual standards by taking the two bills for approval of the Governor while it already told the Court that the bills in question were with the Select Committee. This was nothing but proof of the AP government’s yet another irresponsible action in contempt of the High Court.

The TDP leader slammed the AP government for ‘violating’ the Constitution and democratic traditions by adamantly ignoring the laws approved by the President. Considering the rising public opinion against the government’s actions, the YSRCP rule should at least start respecting the President, Courts and the Parliament. It should say goodbye to its unilateral and unlawful activities with regard to the Capital issue and behave in a constructive way.

Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has appealed to Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan to send the 3 Capitals and CRDA Bills being pursued by the AP Government for the consideration of the President of India.

He said that the Governor may take the opinion of the Attorney General of India (AGI) before taking a decision as the 3 Capitals bill (AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020) and the CRDA bill (AP Capital Region Development Authority Repeal Act, 2020) were in violation of a Parliament Act and the Constitution of India.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu wrote a letter to the Governor, saying that the YSRCP Government was reportedly intending to send the twin bills for his assent (Governor’s) on the supposition that the Legislative Council did not approve the same in 30 days as per Article 197(1) and 197(2) of the Constitution. Whereas, the fact was that the Council did not even introduce the bills for discussion because they were pending with the Select Committee. Moreover, the matter regarding Amaravati capital city was also pending with the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and therefore it was sub judice.

Stating that any deviation at this juncture would be in violation of the Constitution, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said that as per Section 5 (2) of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, enacted by the Government of India, Hyderabad shall be the capital of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for Andhra Pradesh. Further, as per the Section 6 of the Reorganisation Act, the Government of India constituted an expert committee for the study of various alternatives regarding the new capital and accordingly, Amaravati was finalized.

The TDP leader told the Governor that as per the Reorganisation Act, the Central Government shall facilitate the creation of a new capital for the successor State of Andhra Pradesh and, if considered necessary, by notifying degraded forest land. Therefore, the mandate was clear that the State of Andhra Pradesh is to have one capital and not more than that. Even according to the other enactments and the Constitution of India, a Capital city gives no other meaning other than the meaning of One Capital. Hence, the bills introduced by the present YSRCP-led Government come in conflict with the Reorganisation Act enacted by the Parliament in 2014.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu said that the Governor was under obligation to abide by the Constitution of the country and the law of the land to send the bills to the President. The YSRCP regime was making all attempts to ruin Amaravati and replace it with three capital cities. For this purpose, the bills were introduced and passed in the AP Legislative Assembly during the sessions held in January 2020. But the AP Legislative Council did not pass the bills and referred the same for Select Committees as per the ruling of the Chair.

The TDP leader said that the ruling party, with a mala fide agenda, tried to reintroduce the two bills in the Council during the June 2020 budget sessions by using muscle power. However, the Council did not introduce the bills since they were pending with the Select Committee. The question of Council rejecting the bills does not arise.

Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has termed it as a betrayal on the part of the Jaganmohan Reddy government to tell the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that Anna Canteens have not been closed down in Andhra Pradesh. The government was not only betraying the poor workers, daily wage coolies and others but also the national level Constitutional institutions like the NHRC. The ruling party was insensitive and indifferent to the need for ensuring justice to the very poorer sections with whose votes it came to power.

In a statement here, the Opposition Leader in Council pointed out that by not releasing funds, the Jagan Reddy regime has caused the Anna Canteens to shut down. This was despite the fact that the Canteens served food at just Rs. 5 to poor workers. Just like Praja Vedika, the Anna Canteens project was also demolished in the State. CM Jaganmohan Reddy himself holds the remote control in his hands for carrying out all these demolitions and destruction.

Condemning the government for giving false report to NHRC, Mr. Ramakrishnudu deplored that the ruling party was obviously crushing the pro-poor Anna Canteens just because they were introduced during the Chandrababu regime. While in Opposition, the CM went on spreading false information about the TDP but even after coming to power, Mr Jagan Reddy was continuing his vicious misinformation campaigns. The CM was solely responsible for demolition of institutions and systems. He was the pilot and co-pilot of this regime with none else having any say in the decision-making at any level.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu condemned the attack by YCP leaders on a Dalit judge which reflected absence of security to the weaker sections under the autocratic and oppressive Jagan Reddy rule. It was clear that the Chittoor-based YCP leaders were behind the attack on the judge. It was nothing but an attack on the judiciary. But, the AP police were not filing a case based on the complaint given by the judge. There was no securrity to the common man when a judge was himself facing such victimisation. A thorough and unbiased probe should be held.

The TDP leader said that the Sand Corporation was yet another scheme to commit an employment scam for rehabilitating the ruling YCP leaders and activists. This would not bring any benefit to the common public.

Already, the people faced untold miseries because of sand shortage even as the construction workers passed through starvation and suicides. There is no need for a sand corporation when there is an existing mining corporation. It is well known how the government has crushed the BC, SC, ST welfare corporations by not giving any funds for them.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu flayed the government for not handing over the completed houses to the poor beneficiaries even after the High Court has passed strictures against it. The court has found fault with the government for not giving current connections in the past 14 months of its regime. Over 8 lakh houses were not being handed over to the beneficiaries just because those houses were constructed under the TDP rule.

Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has slammed the Jaganmohan Reddy Government for ‘mismanaging and hurting’ Andhra Pradesh state economy and its financial situation as a whole with a spree of retrograde and self-defeatist policies. Even the so-called welfare sector about which CM Jaganmohan Reddy makes tall claims was reduced to a mere farce with majority deserving sections not getting these benefits. In the first year of his rule, Jagan Reddy has miserably failed in all sectors pushing the sunrise AP into debts.

Mr. Ramakrishhnudu deplored that the development has come to a standstill while the people were being misled with a false misinformation campaign on welfare. The double digit growth rate achieved during the TDP regime was reversed and it came down to 8.16 per cent in just one year as per the Government records alone. In actual figures, the growth was just half of these claims. With an ulterior motive, the socio-economic survey was filled with lies. Revenues have come down drastically while revenue expenditure has gone up. Capital expenditure was raised two-thirds thereby causing a steep gap in fiscal deficit.

Stating that capital expenditure fell by 35 per cent in 2019-`20, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said this showed how YCP has brought nil development in its first one year rule. It is due to the utter failure of the Government. Revenue collections came down by Rs. 67,826 cr, which is about 37.9 per cent. But revenue expenditure went up by 6.96 per cent which is Rs. 8,949 Cr. Total budget expenditure also came down by Rs. 10,798 cr which is about 6.6 per cent. Whereas, the TDP achieved 100 per cent budget spendings in its five year regime. Capital expenditure fell by Rs. 7,131 Cr which is big blow to the economy.

The Opposition Leader in Council said in last one year, YCP failures were responsible for revenue deficit going up by Rs. 12,748 cr, about 91 per cent. This was due to increased and thoughtless spendings on unproductive sectors. Fiscal deficit went up by 14 per cent which is Rs. 5,053 cr. Public debt repayments and interest payments increased by Rs. 5,501 cr, nearly 20.9 per cent.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu expresed concern over market borrowings of Rs. 25,243 cr brought in just one year which came to over 72.6 per cent. If YCP goes on borrowing Rs. 60,000 cr per year, the total State debt would go up from Rs. 3,02 lakh cr now to Rs. 6.5 lakh cr by 2023-`24. The interest burden alone would go up to Rs. 3.47 lakh cr, about 115 per cent, in YCP five years. So, even interest payments would come to Rs. 34,000 cr per year. In the next four years, Jagan Reddy rule will have to get Rs. 1.6 lakh cr loans only to pay interest on loans it would take. It is obvious that YCP pushed the State into Rs. 60,000 cr debt while it took 64 years for AP to get Rs. 3 lakh cr debt over prior to Jagan Reddy regime.

The TDP leader deplored that when compared to the GSDP, debts were increased from 27 per cent to 34.5 per cent. YCP indifference to development projects was evident from how it spent just Rs. 4,000 cr on irrigation projects in 2019-`20 while TDP spent Rs. 14,000 cr in 2018-`19. Agriculture was totally ignored with false claims. Industrialisation took a back seat even as an anti-investment climate was deliberately created.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu said half of sub-plan funds meant for weaker and backward sections were not spent while even those meagre funds spent under sub-plans were being shown as welfare spendings for the downtrodden sections. All 34 welfare programmes of TDP were cancelled. Financial mismanagement of YCP has eventually caused steep socio-economic decline in the State.

Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has termed it as a great misfortune of the Andhra Pradesh people to have got an inexperienced Chief Minister like Jaganmohan Reddy who does not have basic understanding of how a state or country’s economy works. While the previous TDP regime achieved 11.02 per cent double digit growth rate in 2018-`19, the present Government reduced it to single digit 8 per cent in the last one year with its self-destructive and debilitating economic policies.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu said AP emerged as a favourite destination for national and international investments but the State’s image took a severe beating since Jagan Reddy began his Tughlaq rule with demolitions, cancellations, atrocities and destructions. Highest priority was given to crippling of systems and institutions under YCP rule. Just like Tughlaq, Jagan Reddy has started shifting Capital City and ended up lapping up severe public backlash.
The Opposition Leader in Council said that the previous TDP rule achieved a per capita income of Rs. 93,000 to Rs. 1.64 lakh in 2018-`19. In just five years between 2014 and 2019, AP witnessed rapid strides in development. All sections of people led happy lives during Chandrababu regime just like history remembers the golden age of the Guptas in Indian history. All sectors of the AP economy witnessed growth and prosperity.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu blamed the failed economic policies of Jagan Reddy for the ‘increasing debt burdens’ on AP people now. Just like Tughlaq, Jagan Reddy has also emptied the state treasury and ripped apart the economy beyond repair. Jagan Reddy regime brought Rs. 80.000 Cr loans in a year as against Rs. 24,000 Cr yearly average of TDP regime. AP used to be in 3rd place in its contributions to the country’s GDP but now it has slipped to 9th place.

The TDP leader asked how the State could get income when the ruling YCP leaders were exploiting and plundering all the natural resources from sand to minerals. The police machinery was weakened and subjugated to protect the ruling party mafia. The orders and judgements of the courts were not being adhered to. The Government money was being distributed to the YCP activists by giving them volunteer posts. The YCP plans were to hijack elections by using its money and muscle power.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu deplored that even the poorer sections were facing lots of problems because Jagan Reddy was implementing his grandfather Raja Reddy Constitution but not Ambedkar’s Constitution. The Dalit doctor Sudhakar was humiliated, ex MP Harsha Kumar was jailed, Andhra University Professor was harassed and so on.

Former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Sunday demanded that the YSR Congress Party Government explain to the people why it was not giving details of excise revenue following steep hike in prices of liquor in the state. While boasting about 13 per cent reduction in liquor shops in today’s media advertisements, the Government avoided any mention of the revenue just because it had increased apparently.

The Opposition Leader in AP Council stressed the need for giving a special package to the media organisations considering their vital role in a democracy and their financial crisis on account of Coronavirus epidemic lockdown. It would not be correct on the part of the Government to spend public funds indiscriminately on improper advertisements.

Strongly objecting to 75 per cent hike in liquor prices, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said that this has become a grave threat to the weaker sections people mostly because 80 per cent of their families come under direct impact of liquor as per a survey. Only 7.5 per cent among upper castes and 59 per cent among muslim minorities are affected. Now, the steep price hike would further cripple the lives of weaker sections who were already financially suffering due to loss of work in lockdown period.

The TDP leader deplored that lakhs of poor families were not only losing what little money they have but also suffering serious health risks because of poor quality liquor. While no Government has imposed additional taxes or burdens on people anywhere in the world and the country, AP Government was giving lots of problems to poor families instead of providing proper relief to them in this COVID crisis. The YSRCP was giving direct and indirect support to illegal businesses. Non-duty paid liquor was flowing all over the State causing major loss to the State exchequer.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu deplored that CM Jaganmohan Reddy was only interested in hiking current bills, RTC fares, liquor prices and other taxes rather than rescuing people in times of crisis situations like Coronavirus and gas tragedy. The CM has not shown any enthusiasm to prevent rise in COVID cases and failed to extend timely relief to gas mishap victims. Problems of Amaravati Capital City farmers, migrant workers and agricultural growers have multiplied.

Stating that COVID cases were rising alarmingly in the state, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said that now AP had come up to 4th position in the country in terms of total virus infections due to miserable failure of the YSRCP Government. In Corona related deaths, AP stood in first place in South India and standing at 7th position all over India. As said earlier, CM’s negligence was leading to AP fast crossing the 2,000 mark in virus cases in a day or two.

The YSRCP regime is facing more and more questions from Opposition each passing day. Now, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Leader of Opposition in AP Legislative Council, is asking what the Jaganmohan Reddy government has done with Rs. 4,000 Cr borrowed this month alone. He held the government’s alleged bankrupt political agenda responsible for what he described as a rapidly deteriorating Coronavirus situation in Andhra Pradesh.

He accused the Government of suppressing virus +ve cases in order to get the local body elections held as early as possible to suit its political priorities. It was high time for the Central Government to intervene and save the AP people from the bankrupt and dangerous policies of the Jagan Reddy government. Though Kerala was suffering from financial problems, they had announced Rs. 20,000 Cr Coronavirus relief package while AP Government was not taking any such effective steps to come to the rescue of people in a crucial time. YSRCP Government borrowed Rs. 4,000 Cr this month but there were no funds released to fight the virus and to pay full salaries to employees. AP received sufficient funds in the form of Central devolutions but the YSRCP leaders were talking about financial crisis.

Mr. Yanamala said that Kerala emerged as an ideal state by taking proactive pro-people steps despite financial problems while AP Government gave priority to making payments to its favoured contractors. YSRCP allocated Rs. 3,000 Cr for market intervention but not a single rupee was spent so far to save farmers from losses. AP is fast slipping into food insecurity because of the Government’s negligence and indifference.

Mr. Yanamala charged the YSRCP of fudging financial numbers to divert the people’s attention from its failures and the ill effects of its misgovernance on overall state economy. The former finance minister said that in the name of deepening financial crisis, the YSRCP is planning not to spend any funds on development activities this year as well. On the other hand, the government is not explaining what it is doing with the funds saved by discontinuing Anna Canteens, unemployment allowance, festival gifts and other programmes.

Mr. Yanamala dismissed as a lie the government’s claim to have spent hundreds of crores for the Rs-1,000 cash distribution to poor families. These funds were provided by the Centre while the State has not given any funds of its own so far. Compared to other states, AP has not given much and ration was not given to over 25 lakh beneficiaries whose ration cards have been cancelled on petty reasons. There were also complaints about distributing 1 kg less out of 5 kg and also Rs. 100 to Rs 250 cut from Rs. 1,000 assistance.

Stating that Rs. 4,000 Cr expenditure on Corona treatments and prevention was a lie, Mr. Yanamala said that South Korea spent just Rs. 870 Cr for virus fight but it could conduct over 4 lakh tests. Whereas, AP government is showing Rs 4,000 Cr spendings though it held just 20,000 tests so far. When so much less testing and lesser +ve cases were reported, it would not be proper to show huge expenditure on virus fight in AP.

Mr. Yanamala said that all attempts by YSRCP were to project that Corona lockdown caused much greater financial losses. The government is obviously preparing people for future fund cuts for poor people’s welfare programmes in addition to development works and projects which were already ignored.