Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday, 26 August launched a sharp attack on the TDP-led coalition government, accusing Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of failing to devise any contingency plan to counter the El Nino-driven drought gripping the state. Speaking at a press conference at the party's central office in Tadepalli, Jagan alleged that 52% deficit rainfall over the past two months has left farmers in distress, while the government has remained silent.

Agriculture Left in the Lurch

Jagan charged that Chandrababu dismantled key farmer-support infrastructure built under the YSRCP government, including the Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), free crop insurance, e-cropping systems, and continuous market monitoring. He said no seeds for alternative crops were distributed and no methodology was announced to help farmers navigate the kharif season under El Nino conditions.

Pointing to Parliament data, Jagan noted that crop insurance applications in the state fell sharply — from 1.18 crore during 2022-23 to just 35.17 lakh at present — which he described as a direct consequence of dismantling the earlier framework.

Water Dispute and Rayalaseema Concerns

The YSRCP chief also accused Chandrababu of allowing the neighbouring state to draw water from Srisailam, while ignoring the Pothireddypadu head regulator and stalling the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme. He further alleged that Nagarjuna Sagar waters were being diverted through lift irrigation projects by the neighbouring state, and that Chandrababu had remained a 'mute spectator' throughout.

BC Quota and Political Accusations

On the issue of Backward Class (BC) reservations in local body elections, Jagan accused the Chief Minister of reviving the same litigation tactics he had used against the YSRCP government when it pushed for 34% reservation for BCs. Jagan claimed his government had exceeded the quota in practice, with ₹1.82 lakh crore disbursed to BCs across various welfare schemes. He also alleged that Chandrababu had sent no BC leader to the Rajya Sabha during his tenure, while YSRCP had filled four of 11 available seats with BC representation.

Jagan further alleged that the current government was pursuing BC leaders — naming S Appalaraju, Chinthada Ravi, and Virupakshi — through what he described as false cases, and that fee reimbursement dues were leaving BC students unable to obtain their academic certificates.

Addanki Police Incident

Jagan also raised the Addanki incident, in which police personnel allegedly in an inebriated state reportedly rammed an autorickshaw, injuring passengers. He said ganja, liquor, and a police uniform were found in the vehicle, and alleged that inconsistent versions from the DSP, SP, and FIR pointed to a cover-up. He claimed the incident reflected an organised nexus between political and police establishments facilitating ganja peddling in the state.

What Comes Next

With local body elections approaching, Jagan said ongoing surveys reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with the coalition's governance. The El Nino drought crisis, water-sharing disputes, and the BC quota row are expected to remain central issues as the political temperature in Andhra Pradesh continues to rise.