YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders on 19 July reaffirmed their pledge to provide ₹1 crore compensation to each family of the six fishermen who died in the Visakhapatnam fishing boat tragedy, contingent on the party returning to power in Andhra Pradesh. The promise was made as the party distributed ₹49 lakh in immediate financial assistance — ₹7 lakh each to seven affected families, including survivor Chinna, who lost his boat in the accident.

Compensation Announced and Cheques Signed

YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy personally signed the cheques disbursed from party funds. Leaders also promised a new fishing boat to Chinna, whose livelihood was destroyed in the tragedy. The party said it would continue to press for ₹1 crore per family until every bereaved household receives what it called adequate relief.

YSRCP Attacks Coalition Government Over Delayed Response

YSRCP leaders alleged that the six fishermen could have survived had rescue operations been launched promptly, instead of being delayed by nearly 18 hours, according to the party's account. They criticised the current coalition government for failing to visit the bereaved families even 15 days after the tragedy, and said the administration's response was limited to an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh per family.

Leaders specifically questioned Fisheries Minister Atchannaidu, who reportedly cited eye surgery as the reason for not visiting the victims' families, while still finding time to publicly criticise Jagan Mohan Reddy. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha was also criticised for restricting her engagement to a video call rather than visiting the families in person. Notably, this is the latest in a series of political confrontations between YSRCP and the ruling coalition over welfare delivery to fishing communities.

Welfare Record Under Previous YSRCP Government

YSRCP leaders highlighted measures introduced for fishermen during their tenure, including an enhanced oil subsidy, the Matsyakara Bharosa scheme, and pension benefits from the age of 50. They argued that the current government has dismantled the support structure that the fishing community depended on, and said fishermen deserve dignity, security, and timely state intervention.

YSRCP Extends Support to Dalit Family in Vijayawada

In a separate development in Vijayawada, YSRCP extended ₹10 lakh in financial assistance to the family of Dalit youth Kranti Kumar, who died by suicide following alleged police harassment. Acting on directions from Jagan Mohan Reddy, senior party leaders handed over the assistance, which includes fixed deposits of ₹5 lakh in his daughter's name and ₹2.5 lakh each for his two sons.

The party announced it would take full responsibility for the education of Kranti Kumar's children and provide free medical treatment to his ailing son, who is reportedly suffering from a spinal tumour and has been shifted to a major hospital in Hyderabad for treatment at YSRCP's expense. Leaders accused the coalition government of attempting to suppress the case until Jagan Mohan Reddy's personal intervention led to the case being converted under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

YSRCP said the government has yet to provide statutory compensation, government employment for the victim's wife, free education for the children, or the agricultural land and house site benefits legally guaranteed to the family. The party reiterated its commitment to comprehensive rehabilitation for all affected families.