YSRCP committed to social justice, says AP CM

Vijayawada: In a bid to consolidate its vote bank, YSR Congress Party held a huge meeting here on Wednesday to iterate its commitment for welfare of the backward classes at the 'Jai Ho BC Mahasabha.'

With elections slated to be held in 2024, the party used the platform to highlight its achievement in empowerment of BCs, giving them due recognition in political posts and elected posts and constituting caste-wise corporations so as to ensure proper utilisation of budgetary allocations for BC welfare.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to social justice, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that his predecessor N Chandrababu Naidu not only ruined the State by indulging in fiscal indiscipline but also betrayed weaker sections for long. He said the ensuing elections would be TDP's waterloo.

Addressing the mammoth 'Jai Ho BC Maha Sabha' at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium here, he exhorted the party rank and file to get into election mode and propagate door to door the welfare activities being implemented and draw a contrast between the present and previous governments.

From three capitals to housing to the poor, Chandrababu Naidu and his 'band of feudal' have been trying to stall them through litigation and false propaganda. He dared that the TDP chief should have guts to make a statement to contest alone in the ensuing elections. Chandrababu Naidu is trying to cheat the BCs to overcome his failure in implementing the assurances given to them.

Articulating his achievements, he said "we have set up a permanent BC Commission for the first time in the country." Referring to the injustice done to the BCs during TDP tenure, he said that Chandrababu Naidu deceived the BCs by not fulfilling the promises made while YSRCP empowered BCs, SCs, STs and minorities socially, economically and politically in tune with BC Declaration held at Eluru in 2019.

BCs should teach a lesson to Chandrababu Naidu in the ensuing elections and remind him of what happened to the assurances given to them. Highlighting the initiatives taken by the YSRCP for the welfare of BCs, he termed BCs are no more backward classes but they are backbone classes. Priority has been given to the poor social groups in the implementation of welfare schemes, around Rs 3.19 lakh crore was spent for financial empowerment. Of the total, 80 per cent of the money was spent on weaker sections.

During Chandrababu Naidu's tenure in 2018-19, the rate of increase in debt was 19 per cent. The annual budget of 2018-19 and 2022-23 is almost similar, now the rate of increase in debt was 15 per cent. People should think why there were no schemes during Chandrababu Naidu's regime. He claimed that the TDP chief's policy is plunder, stash and devour. The spirit of YSRCP manifesto is the welfare of BC, SC, ST and minorities, besides ensuring the implementation of Navratnas to every door step, he asserted.

YSRCP has brought 50 per cent reservation in nominated posts and works. On the other hand, the government is supporting the BCs through Amma Vodi and YSR Cheyutha schemes, while Jagananna Chedodu scheme is being implemented to support small traders. Around Rs 14,110 crore was given to the beneficiaries under Cheyuta scheme. In Tirumala, a tradition of opening temple doors was given to Sannidhi Gollas, he said.

Once again, he emphasised that BCs are not iron boxes, sewing machines, tools, but they are backbone castes. During his tenure, Chandrababu Naidu has not nominated a BC leader to the Rajya Sabha. But, the YSRCP government has given priority to SC, ST and BC minorities in every step. Out of eight Rajya Sabha nominees, majority of them were given to BCs.

Four of the five Deputy CMs are from BC, SC, ST and minority. Out of 32 MLCs, 18 are BC, SC, ST, minorities. Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram, and Council Chairman Moshen Raju are from weaker sections.