He indicated that a mass contact programme would be launched at an appropriate time, once anti-incumbency against the ruling coalition reaches its peak.
Published Jan 23, 2026 | 11:33 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 23, 2026 | 11:33 AM
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (Screengrab)
Synopsis: YSRCP President accused the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh of indulging in what he termed “credit chori” by claiming ownership of the comprehensive land resurvey undertaken during the previous YSRCP government. He also alleged large-scale corruption and misuse of official machinery under the present coalition’s dispensation.
YSRCP President and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday, 22 January, accused the ruling TDP of indulging in what he termed “credit chori” by claiming ownership of the comprehensive land resurvey undertaken during the previous YSRCP government. He also alleged large-scale corruption and misuse of official machinery under the present coalition’s dispensation.
Addressing the media at Tadepalli near Vijayawada, Reddy said legal options would be explored to ensure justice to villagers of Pinnelli, who were allegedly forced to flee their homes, and asserted that such incidents reflected a regular pattern of undemocratic functioning.
He also indicated that a mass contact programme would be launched at an appropriate time, once anti-incumbency against the ruling coalition reaches its peak.
Detailing the background of the comprehensive land resurvey, he said that the initiative had its roots in grievances raised by farmers during his padayatra, when they highlighted long-pending issues related to land disputes and irregular titles. These concerns, he said, were incorporated into the YSRCP’s 2019 election manifesto and later addressed through the Bhu Raksha and Bhu Hakku schemes.
He said, during the YSRCP government’s tenure, nearly ₹6,000 crore was spent, and around 40,000 staff were deployed to carry out a “historic land reform exercise”. The programme involved issuing tamper-proof land titles using advanced technology and high-end security features, a feat he said no previous government had attempted or achieved. The initiative was widely appreciated at the national level, he added.
Reddy alleged that after assuming office, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who he said could not have imagined implementing such a reform, “hijacked” the entire exercise. He claimed that the TDP government collected Pattadar Passbooks issued under the YSRCP regime, merely changed their colour, and reissued them while claiming credit for the comprehensive land survey.
He further alleged that even the ₹400 crore grant provided by the Union government as a token of appreciation for the land resurvey was “knocked away” by the TDP leadership. The new Pattadar Passbooks issued by the coalition government, he said, were riddled with errors, aggravating farmers’ difficulties instead of resolving them.
The former chief minister accused Chandrababu Naidu and his “propaganda machinery” of spreading misinformation ahead of the elections by claiming that lands would be taken away under the Bhu Hakku and Bhu Raksha schemes.
IVR calls were allegedly used to frighten farmers and dissuade them from voting for the YSRCP. Such tactics may have yielded short-term political gains, but people have now seen through what he described as a “dirty game,” Reddy said.
He also alleged that after coming to power, the chief minister initially transferred lands under the category of prohibited lands for the problems the farmers faced, but later made a complete U-turn, exposing what he termed an opportunistic approach.
According to him, the robust system created by the YSRCP government was dismantled and replaced with a superficial exercise involving no real change beyond cosmetic alterations.
Turning to the Pinnelli incident, Reddy alleged that the village, largely comprising YSRCP supporters, was subjected to intimidation and forced displacement through misuse of official machinery at the behest of the TDP leadership. He said that when a woman who had returned to check on her house fell ill, her husband, a Dalit, came to attend to her and was brutally attacked. The man later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
He claimed that the police initially refused to hand over the body and did so only after YSRCP leaders staged protests. Such actions, he said, were grossly undemocratic and would be challenged in court to ensure justice for the affected villagers.
Reddy also levelled allegations of rampant corruption against the coalition government, citing what he described as the open operation of gambling dens during Sankranti, the proliferation of liquor outlets in every village, and a commission-driven system functioning from top to bottom.
He questioned why revenues had not increased despite the doubling of sand prices, asking where the money was going.
Reddy further alleged that contractors were being paid exorbitant rates for works in Amaravati and that projects were being awarded to a select group of favoured contractors. He asserted that despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the YSRCP government had performed well across multiple sectors during its tenure.
Reiterating his party’s stand on legislative proceedings, Reddy said there was little purpose in attending the Assembly unless the YSRCP is accorded the status of Leader of the Opposition, given that it is the only Opposition party in the House.
Responding to a query on whether he would undertake another padayatra, he said it was a political decision that would be taken at the right time, depending on the prevailing situation and the level of anti-incumbency against the ruling coalition government.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
