Published Mar 17, 2026 | 9:41 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 17, 2026 | 11:28 PM
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
Synopsis: YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday, 17 March, alleged a complete breakdown of law and order in Andhra Pradesh under the TDP government after Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar tested positive for drugs last weekend. He said he would soon launch a statewide padayatra and alleged inaction in cases of drug abuse and sexual misconduct. Complaints were being delayed or diluted, he said, and he accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of failing to act against those within his party.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a scathing attack on the ruling TDP after its Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar tested positive for drugs at a party in Hyderabad.
Addressing party leaders, cadres and representatives from the Ongole constituency at the party headquarters in Tadepalli near Vijayawada on Tuesday, 17 March, the YSRCP chief alleged a complete breakdown of governance and accountability under the TDP government.
“In the history of Parliament, Putta was the only MP who was caught consuming drugs,” Jagan quipped.
He also announced that he would soon embark on a padayatra as part of a mass contact programme across Andhra Pradesh.
He said the case was not an isolated incident but part of a wider pattern of inaction and a “dangerous governance failure” under the TDP-led coalition in Andhra Pradesh.
“From Putta Mahesh, it did not begin and will not end there,” he said.
Jagan also took aim at Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for failing to act against wrongdoing within his party.
Even in serious cases, including drug abuse and misconduct, no stringent action had been taken, he said, and this had emboldened such behaviour.
Jagan further alleged that law and order, especially women’s safety, had deteriorated under the current regime. Instead of acting in cases of atrocities, the government was delaying action, he said.
He also alleged that complaints by victims, especially women, were being diluted through committees instead of decisive action. In some cases, he said, no action followed despite video or photographic evidence. This, he said, had fostered a culture of impunity.
He said the government set up inquiry committees when women complained to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that they were sexually abused or exploited by coalition MLAs. The government was also not in a position to act against the personal assistant of Minister G Sandhya Rani, against whom there was a complaint of sexual harassment by a woman working in the education department.
He further alleged that no action was taken when the son of a coalition MLA was caught taking drugs. Despite video evidence against the incumbent TTD chairman, there was no follow-up action, he said.
The former Chief Minister questioned the moral authority of the ruling dispensation. Individuals close to the leadership had escaped scrutiny despite serious accusations, he said. “This reflects the mindset of those in power. There is no intent to serve people,” he said.
Drawing a contrast with his tenure, Jagan said the YSRCP was built on “values, credibility, and courage”.
He described “gunde dhairyam” (courage) as its hallmark. “This party does not belong to one individual. It has been collectively built by cadres. Its strength lies in its credibility,” he said.
He claimed that, despite inheriting a financially strained state in 2019, his government prioritised welfare and delivered on promises even during the COVID-19 crisis. Of the ₹3.31 lakh crore borrowed during his tenure, about ₹2.7 lakh crore was directly transferred to beneficiaries, particularly women, he said.
In contrast, he alleged that the present government had raised ₹3.30 lakh crore in just two years without implementing its poll promises.
“Our schemes have been scrapped. Their schemes have not taken off. Where has the money gone? The answer is corruption,” he said. He also accused the government of declining revenues, indiscriminate land allocation at throwaway prices, and irregularities in Amaravati development works.
Announcing his next steps, Jagan said he would soon launch a statewide padayatra to directly engage with people and highlight their issues. “My padayatra will begin soon. We will take up people’s concerns and expose the failures of the government,” he said.
He also said party workers would have a central role in the coming days. “In this phase, cadre will play a central role. Through them, we will strengthen our connection with the people,” he added.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
