Senior YSR Congress party leader and advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Thursday accused Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu of launching a smear campaign against the Jagan Mohan Reddy government with fake pictures and baseless allegations.
He was reacting to a photo exhibition conducted by Naidu with pictures showing alleged digging of Rushikonda hill and other hills for illegal mining, which was highlighted by the pro-TDP media.
“In fact, the picture Naidu was displaying at the exhibition was the one posted in social media in 2018. Using this picture, Naidu made shameless allegations against YSRC MLA Dwarampudi Chadnrasekhar Reddy,” Sajjala said.
With regard to another picture, the government advisor said the hillock which Naidu was alleging was being dug for illegal mining was at Mangalagiri and it was dug during the TDP regime itself. Another hill show in the exhibition was also closer to the TDP office, he said.
Sajjala said the TDP president had failed to realise the fact the people had given a decisive mandate to the Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
“If the parties in power don’t do good for them, they will reject such parties. Just because Jagan has been addressing the needs of the people, they are admiring his government. Naidu is not realising it even now,” he said.
He wondered whether Naidu, during his regime, had laid roads without cement and gravel.
“He had shown graphics in Amaravati and that is why he did not think there is no need for sand, gravel, soil and cement. Mining of sand, stone and laterite has to go on in any government for any construction,” he said.
Sajjala alleged that the TDP chief was making baseless allegations, because he wanted to stop massive developmental works going in the state.
“More than 30 lakh houses are being built for weaker sections for which soil, sand and cement are being used. Roads are being laid. Naidu doesn’t want any of these activities to go on and hence, wants to obstruct these works,” he alleged.