Naidu alleges Jagan built palace, neglected housing for poor

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Monday launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, alleging that the latter built a “palace” for himself at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam while neglecting housing needs of the poor in the State.

Participating in the house-warming programme of over 2.5 lakh houses in the State from Puduru village in Naidupeta mandal of Tirupati district, Mr. Naidu said the Telugu Desam Party government had earlier planned to construct 4.73 lakh houses for the poor under the NTR Housing scheme, but the programme was scrapped after the YSR Congress Party came to power. He alleged that dues amounting to ₹923 crore were also left unpaid.

Mr. Naidu further said the “downfall” of the YSRCP began with the demolition of Praja Vedika. He accused the previous government of raising loans to the tune of ₹9.70 lakh crore and indulging in corruption, irregularities and misuse of power. He also alleged that funds provided by the Centre were diverted, inviting penalties.

The Chief Minister claimed that the previous regime had misused ₹174 crore paid by AP TIDCO beneficiaries, and said the present coalition government was refunding the amount to 22,000 beneficiaries. He further alleged that houses were allotted in unsuitable locations such as outskirts, burial grounds, streams and hill areas, making it difficult for beneficiaries to construct homes.