Quartz mining brings political rivalry to the fore in Nellore district

The quartz mining industry, which involves high stakes in the industrial landscape of Nellore district, has once again brought the political rivalry between the TDP and the YSRCP to the fore.

As the two parties are already locking horns after the visit of YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to Nellore recently, TDP MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy and former YSRCP Minister Anil Kumar have accused each other of trying to take the mining trade into their fold.

Mr. Prabhakar Reddy denied the allegations of illegal activities in the quartz export business as “politically motivated and baseless,” and accused the YSRCP of unleashing a smear campaign against him. The MP even announced to withdraw from the quartz mining and dared the YSRCP leaders to prove their charges.

While stating that his companies Fini Quartz and Lakshmi Quartz Sand Private Limited exported only 19,608 tonnes between 2024 and 2025, against the whopping 1.6 lakh tonnes exported by 96 companies during the same period, Mr. Prabhakar Reddy wondered how such a small fraction could be dubbed as multi-crore corruption.

“I have been in the domain of public service and charity for decades, providing drinking water facility in villages, distributing tricycles to the handicapped and conducting eyecare programmes for vision improvement. I entered the quartz trade only to provide employment and boost local economy, in tune with the government policies,” he said.

On the other hand, Mr. Anil Kumar denied any link with quartz trade along with mining operator Srikanth Reddy.

Accusing the TDP of trying to politically corner him, he dared the MP and the media houses allying with the ruling dispensation to prove their charges.

“I am ready to submit an affidavit on my assets to the Chief Minister. Are you ready?” he challenged.