Anam fires back at YSRCP over poll remarks

Nellore: Endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy on Monday launched a sharp attack on YSRCP leaders, saying they were unable to digest the resounding victory of the NDA coalition in the recent local body elections in Atmakur and were making baseless allegations against the government and democratic institutions.

Addressing a press conference at his camp office here along with party leaders, he said the people’s overwhelming mandate reflected their growing confidence in the coalition government. The victory had also placed a greater responsibility on the government to meet people’s expectations and accelerate development across Atmakur constituency.

Taking strong exception to former Atmakur MLA Mekapati Vikram Reddy’s allegation that democracy had been murdered in the constituency, Ramanarayana Reddy said victories and defeats were part of democratic politics and every political party should respect the people’s verdict.

He said the NDA secured a combined lead of around 18,174 votes across six mandals and the municipal area in the latest elections. This was a significant improvement over the approximately 7,000-vote majority he secured in the 2024 Assembly elections, indicating a substantial increase in the coalition’s support base.

The minister said the NDA government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and minister Nara Lokesh, was fulfilling the promises made during the 2024 elections. Effective implementation of the Super Six schemes, welfare programmes, development initiatives and good governance had helped the alliance win people’s confidence across the state, he added.

Recounting his political journey, Ramanarayana Reddy said he had contested elections 10 times, winning seven and losing three. “Whenever I lost, I accepted the people’s decision and worked towards the future instead of blaming institutions or officials,” he said.

Demanding that Vikram Reddy publicly apologise for his remarks, he warned that he would initiate legal action if the apology was not tendered.

The minister also criticised members of the Mekapati family over alleged incidents of political violence in Atmakur and Marripadu during the 1980s and 1990s. Those making statements about democratic values should first introspect on their own political history, he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M Srinivasa Rao

M Srinivasa Rao[email protected]

M Srinivasa Rao is Staff Reporter for SPSR Nellore District for The Hans India. A seasoned journalist with over 32 years of experience in both English and Telugu journalism. Throughout his career, he has worked with leading Telugu dailies, including Udayam, Andhra Jyothi, and Andhra Prabha, as well as prominent English newspapers such as The Indian Express. He began his journalistic career with Udayam in Tirupati, Chittoor district, where he worked from 1990 to 1992. He then served with Andhra Jyothi and Andhra Prabha in SPSR Nellore district from 1992 to 2006. From 2007 to 2016, he worked as a Staff Reporter for The Indian Express in SPSR Nellore district. Between 2016 and 2019, he was associated with The Hans India in YSR Kadapa district. Over the course of his three-decade-long career, Srinivasa Rao has extensively covered a wide range of beats, with particular expertise in social, economic, crime, and political affairs. He is passionate about reporting on current issues that have a significant impact on society and public life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree from Sri Venkateswara University in 1985.

Read More