AP Fin Min lambasts Oppn for misleading data on State debt

Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggan Rajendranath on Thursday came down heavily on the Opposition parties mainly the Telugu Desam Party for spreading falsehood on the financial condition of the State and claimed that with smooth management of the finances they were able to continue all the welfare schemes as announced.

Reacting to allegations that the State had fallen into a debt trap by TDP national president N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP State president and NTR's daughter Daggubati Purundeswari and others, he said they were trying to mislead the public with false, fabricated and mischievous information.

He alleged that Naidu himself was involved in financial indiscipline and political impropriety knowing well that elections were round the corner, he had spent Rs 5,000 crore towards 'Pasupu Kanuka' programme to dole out goodies to women belonging to the poorer sections to influence their voting behaviour.

He said of late, he had been hearing claims by several self-proclaimed economists, some freelance experts and political activists and parties with attempts to mislead the public over the prevailing financial situation. He also denied the recent allegations made by Purandewari, a former Union Minister who was made BJP State president recently.

He said despite the challenges posed in realisation of revenue during the pandemic, due to effective management, AP was ahead of other States in implementing several welfare activities and attracting FDI and other investments due to the industry-friendly climate created by the YSRCP government.