Amaravati, Jan 22 (NationPress) YSR Congress Party leader Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy asserted on Thursday that attending the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is pointless unless he is granted the Leader of Opposition status.

The former Chief Minister inquired of the Assembly Speaker regarding the delay in bestowing opposition party status to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the sole opposition party in the legislature.

During a press conference held in Amaravati, he emphasized that only the Leader of Opposition designation would provide him adequate time to "reveal the dubious actions" of the coalition government.

"The YSR Congress is the only opposition party while all other entities are part of the ruling coalition. One must question the integrity of the Speaker. Why is there a hindrance in granting us the status of an opposition party?" he posed.

His comments followed Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu suggesting a "no work, no pay" policy for MLAs absent from the Assembly.

The Speaker also proposed granting voters the 'Right to recall' public officials.

This recommendation was made during the 86th All India Conference of Presiding Officers in Lucknow.

All 11 MLAs from the YSRCP have been absent from the Assembly since 2024.

Regarding his upcoming padayatra, he mentioned that a political decision will be made when the timing aligns and anti-incumbency is at its peak.

At a party gathering on Wednesday, he indicated plans to initiate a padayatra after a year, committing to engage with the public directly.

Jagan criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for "credit chori" regarding the extensive land resurvey.

He accused Naidu of appropriating the comprehensive land survey initiated by the YSRCP government while claiming undue credit, despite his lack of involvement in the significant undertaking of implementing the 'Bhu Raksha' (Land Rights) and 'Bhu Hakku' (Land Protection) initiatives.

Reflecting on the origins of this effort, he recalled how farmers shared their grievances during his padayatra about inconsistent land titles and disputes, a matter explicitly discussed in the 2019 manifesto.

During the tenure of the YSRCP government, Rs 6,000 crore was allocated, with nearly 40,000 personnel engaged in executing comprehensive land reforms—an unprecedented achievement in issuing clear land titles with advanced security features through cutting-edge technology.

After taking office, Naidu, who likely did not foresee such reforms, allegedly altered the color of Pattadar Passbooks issued to farmers and returned them while claiming full credit for the process. He further alleged that the Rs 400 crore awarded by the Centre as recognition was "misappropriated" by the TDP leadership, revealing the extent of 'credit chori'. He noted that the newly issued Pattadar Passbooks from the coalition government are fraught with inaccuracies, adding to the farmers' challenges.

The former Chief Minister stated that it was Naidu and his propaganda machine that disseminated false narratives before elections, warning that lands would be seized under the 'Bhu Hakku' and 'Bhu Rakshana' schemes.

IVR calls were also made to intimidate farmers and dissuade them from voting for the YSRCP. He remarked that such short-lived political maneuvers would ultimately fail, as the populace has recognized the "malicious tactics" employed.

Furthermore, Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the coalition government of pervasive corruption, highlighting illegal gambling operations during Sankranti, the presence of liquor shops in every village, and rampant commissions.

Despite a surge in sand prices, there has been no increase in revenues, leading to inquiries about the allocation of funds.

Contractors are reportedly receiving exorbitant fees for projects in Amaravati, with contracts being awarded to a select few.