Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu criticised YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over his remarks on cyclone relief and drew a comparison with the recent US midterm election results. He made these comments while visiting cyclone-affected areas in Bapatla and Guntur districts on Friday, November 6.
During his visit, Chandrababu conducted an aerial survey of damaged agricultural fields before landing at the Suryalanka Air Force Station. He subsequently visited Jillelamudi in Bapatla district and Returu village in Guntur district to inspect damaged drains and waterlogged paddy fields.
The Chief Minister said farmers in coastal Andhra Pradesh were repeatedly suffering losses due to cyclones. He stressed the need to modernise drainage systems, improve irrigation infrastructure and take long-term measures to prevent similar damage.
Chandrababu maintained that advance precautions had helped reduce the loss of life and property during Cyclones Arnab and Murasu. However, he acknowledged that the government could not completely prevent damage to standing crops.
Turning to politics, Chandrababu said addressing people’s difficulties was more important than elections. He emphasised that welfare programmes, infrastructure development and supporting affected families remained his government’s priorities.
Taking aim at Jagan, Chandrababu questioned the opposition leader’s criticism of the government during the cyclone crisis. He said that instead of showing sympathy towards people facing difficulties, Jagan was making political allegations.
The Chief Minister also referred to the recent US midterm elections, where President Donald Trump’s Republican Party lost control of Congress to the Democrats. Drawing a political comparison, Chandrababu argued that voters eventually express their dissatisfaction through election results when they become frustrated with a government.
Chandrababu did not elaborate on the comparison but indicated that electoral outcomes reflected how people responded to political leadership. His remarks came amid the continuing political exchange between the TDP-led alliance and YSRCP over the Andhra Pradesh local body elections.
He also said he would present detailed facts and figures after the local election results were announced. Chandrababu maintained that he would explain the ground-level situation and the public response rather than discuss those details immediately.
The Chief Minister reiterated his belief that good politics should lead to good governance. He said the government would continue focusing on welfare, roads, irrigation projects and drainage modernisation while addressing the needs of cyclone-affected farmers.
Chandrababu concluded by calling for collective efforts to take Andhra Pradesh forward, saying public participation and effective governance were essential for the state’s development.
