ArcelorMittal steel project first initiated by YSRCP government, claims Y.S. Jagan

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of indulging in blatant “credit theft” and misleading propaganda over the proposed ArcelorMittal steel plant.

Addressing a meeting of Addanki constituency leaders, local body representatives and party cadres at the YSRCP central office, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that the groundwork for the steel plant had been laid when he was the Chief Minister and not by the present NDA government.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that during his visit to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting-2022 in Davos, he had held discussions with Aditya Mittal and reached a preliminary understanding on establishing a steel plant in Andhra Pradesh.

“The company had also agreed to invest ₹4,800 crore in the Greenko Group project in Kurnool. Multiple locations, including Nakkapalli, were shown to the company and finalised prior to the elections,” the YSRCP chief claimed.

He questioned why Mr. Naidu was not speaking about the Bulk Drug Park project at Nakkapalli, which, he said, was secured during his tenure after stiff competition from other States.

The present government had deliberately created land disputes, resulting in the project’s stagnation and loss of potential investments and employment opportunities, he alleged.

He further alleged that within two years, the State’s debt had crossed ₹3.37 lakh crore without corresponding welfare delivery. Revenue, he claimed, was not reaching the State exchequer, while large-scale corruption was taking place in sectors such as liquor, sand and mining.

Education, healthcare and agriculture sectors were deteriorating, with rising student dropouts, hospitals withdrawing services under Aarogyasri, and farmers facing non-remunerative prices, he said.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the proposed increase in the Legislative Assembly and Parliament seats would create more leadership opportunities, particularly for SCs, STs and women. He assured that in “Jagan 2.0,” party workers would receive greater importance and opportunities. H said public discontent would lead to the defeat of the present government in the next elections.