Is this really a budget, Babu?
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy questioned the validity of the state budget presented by the ruling TDP-led government, calling it a deceptive and misleading budget. Jagan asked why the budget was presented after 8 months, and raised doubts about its legitimacy, suggesting that if the budget had been introduced earlier, the truth about the state's financial situation, including the debt crisis, would have been exposed. He criticized TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that the budget was part of a larger “organized crime” aimed at deceiving the public.
Jagan accused Chandrababu of spreading false propaganda about the state's debt before and after the 2019 elections, claiming that Andhra Pradesh was on the brink of becoming another Sri Lanka due to its debts. He explained that when his government took over, the state's debt stood at ₹6.46 lakh crore, much less than the ₹14 lakh crore figure that was being circulated by Chandrababu’s camp. Jagan also compared the debt growth rate during Chandrababu’s tenure (19% increase) to the relatively slower growth (15%) under his own administration.
Jagan’s Remarks on the Budget:
According to Jagan, the budget was presented with an ulterior motive. He alleged that Chandrababu waited for 8 months to release the budget because he didn’t want the public to see the true extent of the debt and the financial mismanagement. Jagan further pointed out that state budgets are supposed to outline financial estimates and allocate funds, but the delay was a deliberate attempt to cover up past mistakes.
He called the budget documents a "drama" created by Chandrababu to mislead the public, and that they exposed how Naidu used false propaganda, with the help of his media associates, to spread lies about the state’s financial health. For instance, while Naidu had claimed the state's debt was ₹14 lakh crore, the actual figures showed it was much lower.
Accusations of False Propaganda:
Jagan also highlighted how, from 2022 onwards, Chandrababu and his associates launched a coordinated campaign to create panic about the state's debt, labeling it as a financial disaster. He criticized Naidu for spreading misinformation, such as claiming that the government would take the state to a "Sri Lanka-like" crisis. He also mentioned how Naidu used his media contacts to spread these rumors, further accusing him of engaging in "organized crime."
Debt Comparison:
YSRCP President explained that when Naidu assumed power in 2014, the state's debt stood at ₹1.3 lakh crore. By the time he left office in 2019, it had increased to ₹3.13 lakh crore. Under Jagan's leadership, the debt increased, but at a slower pace, reaching ₹6.46 lakh crore. The average increase in debt under Jagan's government was 11.45%, compared to 19.4% during Naidu’s tenure.
Jagan claimed that his government was far more fiscally disciplined than Naidu’s, and despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s debt increase under his government was comparatively lower.
Misleading Claims about the Budget:
Jagan also pointed out discrepancies in Naidu’s claims about government expenditure and fiscal mismanagement. He accused Naidu of falsely portraying the budget as one that would not provide for welfare schemes, while in reality, his government had consistently allocated funds for social welfare schemes. He also emphasized the various welfare measures his government had implemented, such as direct benefit transfers (DBT) to families, job creation, and support for farmers and women, which he said were not adequately reflected in the TDP government’s budget.
Promises that Were Not Fulfilled:
Jagan questioned why the TDP government had not allocated funds for the welfare schemes it had promised during the election campaign. For example, he pointed out that while Chandrababu Naidu promised financial assistance for women and farmers, the budget only provided a fraction of the promised funds. He emphasized that his government had been more proactive in delivering benefits to the public, including providing free LPG cylinders, direct financial support to farmers, and employment opportunities.
Budget Figures and Financial Integrity:
Jagan highlighted that under his leadership, the state had maintained financial discipline, managing to secure loans with a lower interest rate, despite the pandemic’s economic impact. In contrast, he accused Naidu of mismanaging the state’s finances by accruing high debts and failing to keep up with his promises.
The Real State of Governance Under Chandrababu Naidu:
Jagan also pointed to several key failures during Naidu’s tenure, including an increase in power sector liabilities and a higher public debt burden. He claimed that the TDP government had left behind significant arrears and unpaid bills, especially in sectors like power and health.
Conclusion:
Jagan concluded by accusing Chandrababu Naidu of misleading the public, engaging in organized crime through media manipulation, and failing to deliver on his promises. He emphasized that the real beneficiaries of Naidu’s governance were only his political allies and not the general public. He called for the people of Andhra Pradesh to be aware of these discrepancies and to hold Naidu accountable for his actions.
Jagan also mentioned that while his government had managed to implement welfare programs like the “YSR Cheyutha” and “Ammavodi” schemes, the TDP government had failed to provide similar support, thus leaving the people to suffer.
