Andhra witnessing a fierce battle between the poor and capitalists, says Jagan

The monthly welfare pension was hiked to ₹2,750 from ₹2,500.

Claiming that Naidu had backstabbed NT Rama Rao and grabbed power from him, Jagan appealed to the people to see the qualitative difference between the YSRCP and TDP governments.

The YSRCP government has been implementing welfare schemes promised in its election manifesto. The TDP government had ditched every section of the society and dumped its manifesto into the dustbin after assuming power, the chief minister alleged.

Jagan said he is proud to implement promises made in his election manifesto and hike the social pension that benefits the downtrodden and those needing medical care.

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Jagan continues tirade against Naidu

In contrast, he said, a publicity-crazy Naidu is drawing pleasure by conducting meetings and roadshows in congested areas for photoshoots and drone footage and thereby causing fatal stampedes.

“People should see the difference between his welfare governance that has been disbursing monthly pensions ranging from ₹2,750 to ₹10,000 to different sections of people and the TDP rule that allowed Janma Bhoomi Committees to fix rates for disbursing welfare benefits,” Jagan said.

“While every section of society suffered under the TDP rule that pursued a corrupt policy aided by its friendly media, almost all sections of the society are now happy with the hiked pensions for which the government has so far spent ₹62,500 crore,” he said.

Jagan added that while the number of pensioners went up to 64 lakh during the YSRCP government’s rule from 39 lakh during the TDP rule, the monthly pension bill also saw a steep hike from ₹400 crore during the previous government’s time to ₹1,765 crore now, resulting in an annual pension expenditure of ₹21,180 crore.

The chief minister said that the publicity-seeking Naidu is never ashamed of garlanding NTR’s statue and shedding crocodile tears for the sake of votes after backstabbing him, usurping his chief minister’s chair, grabbing the NTR Trust and taking over his political party.

The YSRCP government has increased the total number of rice ration cards to 145, 88,539 by adding 44,543 new cards. Jagan also said Aarogyasri cards and house site pattas (ownership documents) had been issued to more people.

“The TDP chief has been trying to regain his eroding credibility and clout by running false propaganda against the government with the support of his friendly media,” he said.