Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s return from a ten-day personal trip to London has stirred significant curiosity among political circles and observers. His swift plan, as per the reports, to visit Delhi immediately upon his arrival back in India has led to rampant speculation about the purpose and implications of this move, especially against the backdrop of heightened political activity in Andhra Pradesh after the arrest of former chief minister Chandra Babu Naidu a couple of days ago.

While the official narrative portrays Jagan’s trip as centered on securing funds for crucial projects like Polavaram and discussing parliamentary sessions and Jamili election-related matters, there is a prevailing belief among the Telugu populace that the primary focus will revolve around the recent arrest of former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and its implications.

One perspective suggests that Jagan’s assertive action in arresting Naidu might not have received unanimous approval within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to this view, Jagan’s visit to the nation’s capital is intended to update and explain Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Naidu’s arrest. Supporters of this theory point to Naidu’s recent interactions with BJP leaders, such as his discussions with JP Nadda during NTR centenary celebrations, as evidence of a potentially evolving relationship.

Conversely, a more widely held perspective posits that Jagan’s bold moves were unlikely without support from influential figures within the central government, particularly the BJP. This theory suggests that BJP leaders may be orchestrating events behind the scenes, with Jagan serving as the public face of these actions. Observers of this viewpoint cite historical actions, like instances of TDP activists clashing with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during Naidu’s tenure, as indicative of complex political maneuvering.

As political tensions continue to rise in Andhra Pradesh, after the arrest of CBN, Jagan’s return is expected to see a renewed focus on law and order. Maintaining stability within the state and handling opposition protests are likely to dominate discussions as per some political observers. However, a significant portion of the Telugu population asserts that with general elections and assembly elections less than a year away, the Delhi meeting will predominantly revolve around political strategies and alliances, overshadowing discussions on policies and administrative matters.

In summary, CM Jagan’s visit to Delhi at this critical juncture fuels intrigue and speculation, with many keenly observing the discussions and decisions that may transpire during this significant trip.

TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh would be developed only if Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is defeated. He said that the state had gone back several years and it would take at least two terms for anyone to bring the state back on to the track.

Naidu interacted with the media persons in Delhi on Tuesday. Naidu arrived in the national capital to participate in the release of Rs 100 coin by President Droupadi Murmu marking the birth centenary of late N T Rama Rao. Later, he met the Election Commission and complained about the bogus votes being enrolled by the ruling YSR Congress.

Naidu also complained to the EC about the removal of TDP votes in several Assembly constituencies in the state. He said that the officials were not listening to the opposition parties which are complaining about the removal of voters.

On the second day of his stay in the national capital, Naidu told the media persons that he had been trying to create awareness among the people on the need to defeat Jagan Mohan Reddy in the coming elections. He said he took up subjects to speak and educate people on the issues.

The TDP supremo said that Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government had destroyed the irrigation projects, including Polavaram Project, which was considered the lifeline of the state. He said that he had toured the irrigation projects which have become the victims of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s misrule.

Naidu said that the TDP had been working with the national approach. It had worked with several national parties in the past, he said. He also stated that he had differences with the BJP only on the grant of special category status and not any other issues. He said he had clarified this several times in the past.

He gave a compliment to the policies of the BJP at the Centre and said that he had the same vision that Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about these days.

On elections in Telangana, the TDP chief said that the party would go alone in the impending elections. He said that there was no time for the party to align with the BJP or any other political party in the state. He also said that the party would release its list of candidates shortly and fight in the Assembly elections.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, along with Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan, laid foundation stone for the Central Tribal University to be built with a cost of Rs 834 crore coming up in an extent of 561.88 acres.

Addressing a huge public meeting at Chinamedapalli village on Friday, the Chief Minister said that the University will provide better educational facilities to tribal youth to lift their living standards and help them shine on national and international platforms.

“Your minds are pure and you have kept me in your hearts. I will continue to strive for your welfare,” he said, adding that the Government has so far disbursed Rs.16,805crore benefiting 58, 39,000 tribal families through DBT and non-DBT welfare schemes.

The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for granting the Tribal University to the State and said it will help tribal students of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Tribal University is presently functioning temporarily from Vizianagaram utilising Andhra University facilities.

The proposed Tribal University will come up at Marrivalasa and Chinamedapalli villages in the adjoining Dattirajeru and Mentada Mandals in Saluru constituency.

Tribals, neglected for decades, are still backward in most respects and the Government has been striving to improve their living standards, he said and listed out the steps taken for their social and economic empowerment.

Government has been fulfilling the election promises made to tribals which include setting up of Tribal Advisory Committee and the five-member ST Commission.

“We have spent Rs 410 crore on subsidies so far benefiting 4,58,000 tribal families for fulfilling the promise of 200 units of free power supply every month in tribal tandas,” he said.

The government has converted 165 tribal tandas having more than 500 people into panchayats and created Alluri Sitaramaraju and Parvatipuram Manym districts for the benefit of tribals, besides enacting law to reserve 50 per cent of the nominated posts and contracts for SC, ST, BC and minority communities.

Apart from medical colleges being built in tribal areas at Narsipatnam, Paderu and Parvathipuram, a tribal engineering college is also coming up at Kurupam to cater to the educational needs of the tribal youth.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs 216.34 crore benefiting 2,62,169 individuals who missed the benefits of welfare schemes for various reasons between December 2022 and July 2023.

Releasing the amount from the Camp Office on Thursday, the Chief Minister said Government has been taking care to ensure that no eligible person should miss the benefits of welfare schemes for any reason and this is the aim of our Navaratnaalu administration.

“We are striving to do justice to all eligible households and individuals in the implementation of welfare schemes with transparency. The benefits are being disbursed to all eligible beneficiaries irrespective of caste, creed and political affiliations” he said.

The amount would be directly credited to the bank accounts of people who missed the benefits under Jagananna Chedodu, YSR EBC Nestam, YSR Nethanna Nestam, YSR Matsyakara Bharosa, Jagananna Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, Vasathi Deevena, YSR Sunna Vaddi Panta Runaluand and YSR Aasara.

The state government has so far spent Rs 1647 crore in four tranches extending benefits to people who missed the benefits despite having eligibility after the inception of the scheme in December 2021, he said.

The beneficiaries include 12405 and 1630 people found eligible in Jagananna Suraksha and Jaganannaku Chebudam respectively.

The number of pensioners went up to 64, 27,090 from 39 lakh in 2019, the pension also has gone up to Rs. 2750 from Rs.1000, he said, adding that at present, the number of rice cards and Aarogyasri cards stand at 1, 48, 12, 934 and 1,42, 15, 520 respectively.

In the last four years, 30, 84, 935 house site pattas were distributed and Rs.2.33 lakh crore has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries under DBT welfare schemes, he said.

The state government is geared up to complete or speed up the ports and fishing harbours work ahead of the 2024 general election. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting on Thursday, where he directed the officials to ensure that works are grounded and a couple of fishing harbours are completed.

The officials informed Jagan that the Rs 3,736 crore Ramayapatnam Port will have 19 berths with a cargo handling capacity of 138 million metric tons annually. The south and north breakwater works are nearing completion, and the dredging and reclamation works would be completed by September. In the first phase, the port will have four berths with a cargo handling capacity of 34 million tons annually, they said.

Machilipatnam Port, being built with an estimated expenditure of Rs 5,155 crore, will be equipped with 16 berths with an annual cargo handling capacity of 115 million metric tons and in the first phase, it will have four berths with a cargo handling capacity of 35 million tons annually. The works relating to ground improvement and south and north breakwater are in full swing.

The officials also explained that the works relating to the first two berths at the Mulapeta Port in Srikakulam district are progressing rapidly. The Port, being built with a cost of Rs 4,361 crore, will have 10 berths with an annual cargo handling capacity of 83 million metric tons. In the first phase, the port will have 4 berths with a cargo handling capacity of 83 million metric tons annually.

On fishing harbours, the officials said that the works at Uppada, Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam and Juvvaladinne have been completed up to 55.46 percent, 56.22 percent, 62 percent and 86 percent respectively. The Juvvaladinne fishing harbour will be ready in 40 days.

He was informed that the construction works of jetty at Nelaturu in Nellore district and the works of fish land centres at Bheemili, Rajaiah Peta in Anakapalli district, Chintapalli in Vizianagaram district, Rayadaruvu in Tirupati district, Dondavaka in Anakapalli district and Uppulanka in Kakinada district are in progress.

AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has asserted that social justice has become a reality in the State besides empowerment of weaker sections and rolling out of welfare measures with transparency.

In his Independence Day address at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Tuesday, after hoisting the national flag and taking salute, the Chief Minister listed out welfare and development achievements of the government.

He said that the Government has been striving to usher in Grama Swaraj visualized by Mahatma Gandhi by changing the face of agriculture, industry and services.

Andhra Pradesh is the only state that has brought in major changes in the rural administrative system through 15,000 village and ward secretariats, digital libraries, RBKs and the volunteer system to extend quick civic services to the people in full transparency, he said.

The changes have helped reverse the decades-old corrupt administrative system and Rs. 2,31,000 crore has been transferred through DBT in the last 50 months in full transparency.

The Government has also displayed its commitment to decentralization of administration by increasing the number of districts to 26 from 13 to fulfill the wishes of three regions of the State.

The Chief Minister said that the Government has been waging a war on untouchability which has assumed new garb.

“Opposition to introduction of English medium in schools, allotment of house sites, and construction of houses for the poor is also untouchability. The war will continue till justice is done,” he said. Implementation of a slew of welfare schemes as part of Navaratnalu has proved that social justice could be a reality.

The Chief Minister listed out the changes brought in AP in six sectors after YSRCP came to power.

The Chief Minister said that AP is the only state which has enacted a law to reserve 50 % of the nominated posts and contracts to SCs, STs, BCs and minorities for rendering social justice to the weaker sections.

On the industrial front also, the State is marching ahead by standing first in the country in the ease of doing business (EoDB), attracting Rs.13, 42,000 crore investments in the global investors meet at Visakhapatnam, he said, adding that 127 heavy industries were established in AP in the last four years with Rs. 67,196 crore investment providing employment to 84, 607 persons.

The Chief Minister gave away police medals to several IPS and other police officials for extending meritorious services in discharge of duties.