Farooq accuses Jagan of harassing family over property issues

Minister for Law & Justice and Minority Welfare N.M.D. Farooq on Monday alleged that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was harassing his mother and sister over property disputes and claimed that a bitter battle was under way within the family over his alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Addressing a press conference at the TDP central office near Mangalagiri, Mr. Farooq said the public criticism levelled by Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s own sisters reflected what he described as the former Chief Minister’s “dark side”.

He accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of attempting to create unrest to divert public attention from its failures. He alleged that while democratic protests were suppressed during the YSRCP regime, the present coalition government had ensured complete freedom for peaceful demonstrations.

Mr. Farooq further claimed that the Jagan Mohan Reddy government had failed to fulfil 85% of its promises, whereas the TDP-led coalition had already implemented 90% of its commitments. He said the government’s focus remained on decentralised development across the State.

Referring to the legal sector, Mr. Farooq said the government was moving towards fulfilling its promise of establishing a High Court Bench in Kurnool. He added that ₹93 crore had been earmarked for the welfare of advocates and ₹190 crore for strengthening court infrastructure.

The Minister alleged that the previous YSRCP government had not spent any funds on minority hostels constructed under Central schemes in Nandyal, Kurnool, Adoni, Guntakal, Kadiri and Hindupur. In contrast, he said, the coalition government had sanctioned ₹270 crore for their revival.

He also alleged that the construction of Haj Bhavan in Kadapa and Christian Bhavan in Guntur remained incomplete despite the YSRCP’s claims of commitment to minority welfare.

Mr. Farooq said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had allocated ₹6,000 crore for minority welfare, which, he asserted, reflected the coalition government’s commitment to improving the socio-economic conditions of minority communities.