The controversy around removal of NTR’s name from the Health University has been garnering a lot of attention in the state of Andhra Pradesh. If one looks at the governance under the leadership of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy as the Chief Minister, it is a known fact that there is hardly any income for the state.
Worse off, whatever industries and foreign investments the state had…also got driven out after YSRCP government’s anti-industry moves in the state with respect to PPAs and hike in tariffs. Additionally, between 2014 and 2019 when the TDP was in power, the state’s debt stood at around Rs. 80,000 crore. And after Jagan assumed power, the state’s debt since 2019 till date has crossed Rs. 5 lakh-crore. This alarming level of borrowing has not just shocked the central government but also the RBI.
Despite several warnings on unlimited and unrestricted borrowing or debts that the YSRCP government has made, the Chief Minister is not bothered to improve the state’s income. Unrestricted spending on dole and freebies has been hitting the state’s economy hardest. While spending on welfare is fine, there needs to be a limit drawn for that. Additionally, the state government under Jagan needs to look for ways to create revenue sources for the state, which have been negligible after liquor ban and industries leaving the state.
And, on top of this, the kind of political narrative that is currently being created in the state has made it difficult for anyone to survive in the state. Either one has to shut up and not say anything against the government’s misdeeds or just leave the state — at least that’s the message that the YSRCP government is sending out to people. If one speaks up, then either they are physically attacked or there is some sort of police case being filed on people.
With nearly one more year left for the Assembly Elections in the state, one is yet to witness how this situation is going to get worse from now. There are also rumours that the elections may not be allowed to take place in a free and fair manner in 2024. From verbally warning opposition leaders on live TV to badmouthing anyone who speaks or raises voice against the government, it looks like the party in power is setting a precedent for the upcoming election season — which looks scary, in fact!
How things will go on from here will also indicate and reflect whether YSRCP will remain as a people-friendly choice or one that drives the voters mad. Either way, it looks like people still are quietly whispering ear to ear about the growing discord against the current YSRCP government.
