AP Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is usually cool even in the face of unexpected challenges. He took bold steps on shifting Capital City regardless of the huge loss to the State economy. He went for reverse tendering on Polavaram despite knowing difficulties to get the Central funds. His Government did not care when YCP leaders harassed solar power projects and Kia Motors. All these factors led to near zero investments by large multi-nationals.

Such a confident Chief Minister is now worrying about the second wave of Coronavirus and its possible impact on the AP finances. Already, the State suffered a loss of Rs. 21,000 Cr in the first wave. The special Central funds and huge donations could not even help to tackle the health crisis properly at that time.
Reduced State revenue has made the Jagan Reddy Government to look for loans even for payment of salaries. Even the payments of pensions to the retired employees were being delayed. As AP was taking more loans, the Modi regime has imposed a ceiling on its borrowings.

Amid this, CM Jagan is asking AP health officials to be alert and take all preventive measures possible. Another lockdown would cripple the State. Doubtless to say, if neglected, the second wave is expected not just to cause huge human loss but it will destroy economies and people’s incomes severely.

The Opposition leaders have stepped up their campaign in the Tirupati by-election. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh took a direct plunge into the campaign. TDP candidate Panabaka Lakshmi, BJP candidate Ratna Prabha and others have been vigorously campaigning in nook and corner of the constituency. YCP nominee Dr Gurumurthy is matching with the profiles of Panabaka who is a former Union Minister and Ratna Prabha, who is a former Chief Secretary.

Ministers are campaigning on behalf of their party candidates. But still, there is some gap with Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy not starting his campaign early. He is expected to take part in a public meeting towards the end of the election campaign on April 14.

In order to bridge the cap, the Chief Minister has written letters to each and every family in the Tirupati parliamentary constituency. He has explained in the letters how his Government has implemented the welfare schemes and cash promises with determination.

CM Jagan did not make any political comments or election related statements in his letters. He has scrupulously avoided making comparisons to the previous Government also. He simply urged the voters to vote for fan symbol and elect his party nominee.

Slain leader YS Vivekananda Reddy’s daughter Sunitha Reddy has stepped up her struggle for justice ahead of the Tirupati byelection. She has visited Delhi and raised suspicions against YCP MP YS Avinash Reddy and his father Bhasker Reddy. Her action is being seen as a bold step on her part to openly oppose CM Jagan Reddy. Sunitha Reddy is stated to have got indirect support from CM’s sister Sharmila Reddy too.

Raising these points in his latest Weekend Comment, ABN Radha Krishna indicates that CM Jagan Reddy is now facing an unusual threat and insecurity from growing rivalries within his family and relatives. The family is getting vertically divided on the Viveka murder issue. Majority relatives have expressed sympathies to Sunitha Reddy. Sharmila Reddy is also giving problems in her own way. Now, Sunitha has gone a step further and levelled open allegations against the YCP MP.

Sunitha Reddy and her relatives firmly believe that her father became a victim of political greed of YS Avinash Reddy and his father Bhasker Reddy. She brought pressure on Jagan Reddy who did not do anything in over 2 years. This has increased doubts and suspicions. Many within the family and relatives are demanding answers. Even YS Vijayamma is unhappy.

Amid this, there is an increasing threat to Sunitha’s life. If anything happens to her, the CM will be held totally responsible. All these issues are putting heavy pressure on Jagan Reddy. These days, unprecedented security is being provided whenever he comes out of Tadepalli. Though the CM appeared giving the toughest time ever to political rivals, he is now facing a tight situation from within his family relatives.

After obstructing the world-renowned Fortune-500 company Franklin Templeton from setting up operations in Vizag for two years, the YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh seems to have realised its mistake.

Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is now sending letters to Franklin Templeton inviting the company to launch operations in Vizag and also offering land for the purpose.

The previous TDP government headed by CM N Chadrababu Naidu worked day and night to bring Franklin Templeton to Vizag.

In 2017, the TDP government allotted 40 acres and other incentives following which the company agreed to set up operations in 2018.

But after TDP lost power and Jagan became CM, the problems began for Franklin Templeton.

The Jagan government alleged scam in land allotment and allotted 40 acres of Franklin Templeton to other company.

But after two years, Jagan realised that there was no scam in land allotment.

He directed industries department to invite Franklin Templeton to Vizag.

Industries department officials have written to Franklin Templeton offering 25 acres in Vizag to set up operations.

It remains to be seen how the company will respond to this invite now.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is in dilemma over the implementation of “Jagananna Amma Vodi” scheme this year.

Amma Vodi is the flagship scheme of YS Jagan’s government which is part of his “navaratnalu” schemes.

Under Amma Vodi scheme, the AP government is providing financial assistance of Rs 15,000 per year to nearly 43 lakh mothers or guardians to send their children to school till Class 12th. The cash is directly credited in the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

The scheme was launched in the last academic year 2020-21.

However, in the new academic year 2021-22, Jagan is in a dilemma whether to give cash or give free laptops in lieu of cash.

Jagan has decided to seek the opinion of mothers on this issue.

But officials are worried that giving laptops wil put more burden on state government.

A laptop costs in the range of Rs 25,000 to Rs 27,000 in the market.

Even if government places order in bulk, it can negotiate the price to around Rs 20,000.

Despite this, it will be an additional burden of Rs 5,000 for each beneficiary.

Last year, the government incurred over Rs 6,000 crore expenditure to disburse Rs 15,000 cash to each beneficiary.

This will increase further if laptops are given.