YSRCP accuses Naidu govt. of claiming credit for TIDCO housing works

The YSR Congress Party on Monday accused the coalition government and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of falsely claiming credit for housing projects implemented during the previous regime, alleging that not a single new house has been constructed since 2024.

Addressing a press conference at the party office, YSRCP leader and former Minister Merugu Nagarjuna criticised the government for what he termed “blatant credit appropriation” of TIDCO houses. He alleged that the administration was merely repainting houses built and distributed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and presenting them as its own achievement.

Describing the move as “shameful,” Mr. Nagarjuna said the present government was attempting to claim ownership of a large-scale housing programme without contributing to its construction. He added that beneficiaries themselves had taken to the streets, asserting that the houses and pattas were provided under the previous YSRCP government, thereby exposing what he called “false propaganda.”

Questioning the government’s claims, he said the coalition had announced construction of 5.5 lakh houses and house-warming ceremonies for 2.5 lakh units within 21 months, but lacked evidence of building even a single house for the poor during its tenure.

Highlighting the earlier government’s efforts, Mr. Nagarjuna said that under Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy, over 71,000 acres of land worth more than ₹31,800 crore were procured, along with an additional 25,000 acres purchased for over ₹11,300 crore, to provide housing for eligible families. He said the initiative led to the development of “Jagananna Colonies” with infrastructure such as drainage, electricity and drinking water, with nearly ₹32,900 crore spent on these amenities.

According to him, the current market value of the distributed house sites stands at around ₹75,000 crore, translating to an average benefit of about ₹20 lakh per family. He added that each beneficiary received financial assistance of ₹2.70 lakh, including direct transfers, subsidised materials and bank-linked support.

Referring to TIDCO housing, he said over 1.24 lakh houses in G+3 structures were completed and distributed across 35 urban local bodies, including Saluru, Vizianagaram and Chittoor, as early as February 2020.

Meanwhile, former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy also levelled similar allegations, accusing the Chief Minister of misleading the public on housing for the poor.