Why Jagan, his MLAs are not attending assembly sessions in Andhra Pradesh

“Instead of resorting to YSRCP’s false campaigns against my government, their MLAs should come to the Assembly and discuss. The YSRCP cannot deceive people through false campaigns, and if the 11 elected MLAs attend the Assembly session, I am ready to discuss about the development and welfare programmes,” he said. He expressed his readiness for a discussion on the government’s ‘Super Six’ schemes, irrigation projects and investments.

Responding to the CM’s remarks, YSRCP state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy accused Naidu of being hypocritical.

“Chandrababu’s so-called challenges are nothing but empty cries. If Chandrababu has the guts and courage, let him first recognise the YSRCP and Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy as the main Opposition in the Assembly. Why is he so afraid of granting this rightful status? If Opposition status is granted, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will attend the Assembly and expose the government’s colossal failures. That is exactly what Chandrababu fears,” Sajjala said.

He claimed that the coalition NDA government in the state was collapsing in just 18 months under its own failures. “Chandrababu’s so-called Super Six promises deceived the public, which is why coalition leaders fear being chased away,” he said, adding, “Naidu dares Jagan to attend the Assembly, but if recognised as Opposition, YSRCP MLAs will stand firm and question his failed governance. If he has courage, let him grant the rightful status.”

The YSRCP leader accused the Speaker of the Assembly of acting as a shield for Naidu, rather than protecting democratic debate.

The party, which was in power in Andhra Pradesh before Naidu’s TDP won a majority in 2024, had secured just 11 seats out of the total 175. Its failure to secure at least 10% of the total seats meant that it was not automatically recognised as the Opposition party.

The Chief Minister, speaking at Rajampet, had targeted the YSRCP for launching what he called false campaigns against his government. Naidu also exhorted the people to counter the YSRCP’s narrative. He warned that his government would punish those who resort to false propaganda and abuse women using social media platforms.

Launching monthly pension distributions, Naidu said it was his government’s responsibility to provide pensions every month, and that the NDA government spent Rs 42,000 crore towards pensions so far. He said the previous YSRCP government misused the pension scheme by distributing pensions to their party cadre with fake certificates. He said the state government recently sanctioned 7,872 widow pensions and that it is distributing pensions to 8,10,182 physically challenged people.

Naidu also said the state government is committed to the welfare of all sections of the public and that it has been implementing several welfare schemes in addition to the promises made during elections.