Both YSRCP and TDP are equally destructive forces, alleges Congress leader Thulasi Reddy

Congress party’s chief spokesperson N. Thulasi Reddy on Sunday launched a sharp attack on both the YSRCP and the TDP-led coalition government, calling them equally destructive forces.

Addressing the media in Vijayawada, Mr. Thulasi Reddy said the YSRCP government had left the State buried in debt, crime, liquor, drugs, and cannabis, while the current coalition government made things even worse by taking record loans of ₹1.5 lakh crore in 16 months and burdening electricity users with ₹15,480 crore in surcharges.

He condemned the government’s liquor policy of “four shops and 40 belt shops per mandal,” and said the menace of gambling and drugs was spreading in schools. He said the government failed to implement the Super Six welfare promises, including unemployment benefits, aid for girls, and early pensions for marginalised groups. Farmers were suffering due to low crop prices, high fertilizer costs and urea shortage, Mr. Thulasi Reddy said.

The Congress leader also criticised the privatisation of government medical colleges, saying it would deprive the poor but meritorious students of access to medical education, and added that the Aarogyasri health scheme had completely collapsed. Over ₹6,400 crore in fee reimbursement and scholarship dues remained unpaid, he added.

He said the TDP’s ‘Red Book’ and YSRCP’s ‘Digital Book’ were both burning the State, and went on to claim that Congress was the only party that can ensure development and welfare in Andhra Pradesh.