Jagan Reddy accuses CM Naidu of ‘credit chori’ over Andhra’s access equality index surge

New Delhi: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of "credit chori" (credit theft), asserting that the current administration is taking credit for Andhra Pradesh’s improved rankings in the 2024 Access (In)Equality Index (AEI) report, which he states are attributable to the previous YSRCP government.

In a statement posted on social media, Reddy referred to the comparative rankings published by OP Jindal Global University in association with the Centre for New Economic Studies (CNES), which assess Indian states across five pillars of social and human development.

According to Reddy, while the 2021 AEI report relied predominantly on statistics from the period prior to 2019, the 2024 report utilised data exclusively from 2021 to 2023—spanning the tenure of the YSRCP administration.

Drawing a direct comparison between the two assessments, the YSRCP chief highlighted significant improvements across key parameters during his party's governance.

Overall, Andhra Pradesh rose from 10th place in 2021 to 3rd place in 2024 in the composite score, earning special recognition in the report for recording the largest jump among all states.

Specifically, the state's standing in Socio-Economic Security surged from the 11th rank in 2021 to secure the 1st position in 2024. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh climbed from 8th place to 2nd place in the Health Index Score, while its ranking in Legal Recourse saw a dramatic leap from 15th to 2nd place over the same period.

Reddy attributed these outcomes—particularly the top ranking in Socio-Economic Security—to his administration's balanced focus on welfare and development.

He cited the transparent implementation of welfare schemes, measures to protect private consumption during periods of economic distress, and targeted support for the industrial and manufacturing sectors, which he stated achieved the fastest growth in South India between 2019 and 2024.

Concluding his remarks, the former Chief Minister criticised Naidu for claiming credit for these milestones while simultaneously describing the 2019–2024 period as a time when Andhra Pradesh was "on a ventilator."

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