TDP MLC Alapati Rajendra Prasad
| Photo Credit: File Photo
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLC Alapati Rajendra Prasad on Friday alleged that rural development in Andhra Pradesh suffered a severe setback during the tenure of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
“It is an irony that the YSRCP leaders are talking about village welfare after destroying the Panchayat Raj system in the State during their five-year tenure,” Mr. Rajendra Prasad told the media at the TDP central office.
He accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of diverting funds meant for village development, weakening constitutionally elected sarpanches, and running a parallel system through volunteers.
He alleged large-scale irregularities in schemes such as MGNREGS and Jal Jeevan Mission, claiming that thousands of crores of rupees were misused, while villages were left without basic infrastructure.
The MLC alleged that farmers suffered immensely during the previous regime, citing rising farmer suicides, procurement issues, and the controversial land titling system. He said public anger over these policies resulted in the YSRCP winning just 11 Assembly seats in the 2024 elections.
Highlighting the coalition government’s initiatives, Mr. Rajendra Prasad said pending dues of ₹1,674 crore of panchayats were cleared within a month of assuming office.
“The government is reviving villages through ‘Palle Panduga’ programme, constructing roads, water tanks, and farm ponds, and releasing Finance Commission funds to restore true village self-governance,” he added.
Published – December 26, 2025 08:02 pm IST
