The announcement sets the stage for a day of contrasting political narratives, with both camps seeking to shape public perception of the NDA’s first year in office.
Published Jun 04, 2025 | 9:22 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 04, 2025 | 9:22 AM
The opposition YSRCP has declared the same day as Vennupotu Dinam.
Synopsis: As the ruling TDP-led NDA coalition in Andhra Pradesh prepares to celebrate its first year in power on 4 June with a “Festival of Good Governance”, the opposition YSRCP has declared it a “Betrayal Day”, accusing the government of reneging on key electoral promises.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) – comprising the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janasena Party (JSP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Andhra Pradesh – is preparing to mark its first year in power with celebrations on Wednesday 4 June, branding it a “Festival of Good Governance”.
In a pointed response, the opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has declared the same day as Vennupotu Dinam – “Betrayal Day”, accusing the ruling alliance of failing to honour its key electoral promises.
YSRCP leader Botcha Satyanarayana announced the initiative at a party meeting on 1 June, where he also unveiled a poster, ostensibly portraying Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh stabbing the “people” in the back with a spear.
The announcement sets the stage for a day of contrasting political narratives, with both camps seeking to shape public perception of the NDA’s first year in office.
Beyond the YSRCP’s overt charge of betrayal, the terminology carries additional connotations. While Vennupotu is commonly interpreted as “betrayal”, it literally means “a stab in the back”.
This evokes a recurring theme in Andhra political discourse, wherein opposition leaders highlight Chandrababu Naidu’s orchestrated coup against the TDP’s founding leader and then Chief Minister, NT Rama Rao, in order to seize power.
The TDP’s recent attempt at its annual Mahanadu conclave to use an AI-generated likeness and voice of the late statesman to praise Naidu and Nara Lokesh invited scorn.
Satyanarayana pointed out that several of the TDP’s key promises have yet to materialise. “Schemes like Thalli Ki Vandanam, Rythu Bharosa and free bus travel for women remain unfulfilled,” he said.
He further alleged that the NDA has misplaced its priorities, claiming the government has sidelined welfare and development initiatives while instead focusing on targeting YSRCP leaders.
He reiterated the party’s long-standing assertion that the people of Andhra Pradesh are dissatisfied with the NDA government, citing unfulfilled poll promises and what it characterises as a decline in law and order. The party also contends that it is being targeted as part of a diversionary tactic.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
