TDP defends Narayana amid YSRCP claims of waste management allegations

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) shot back at YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLC Parvathareddy Chandrasekhar Reddy, warning him to be mindful of his words after he alleged that Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Ponguru Narayana was involved in a ₹1,200 crore scam in solid waste management.

According to the YSRCP leader, the allegations involve irregularities in waste collection, legacy clearing, procurement of equipment and viability of the plant, in addition to bulldozing the process without the required administrative approvals.

TDP State spokesperson Kotamreddy Giridhar Reddy and former Deputy Mayor P. Roop Kumar Yadav spoke on the issue and warned the YSCRP leader not to make such allegations, as he would later have to provide proper evidence to support his claims.

“The MLC must be mindful of his words and cannot make wild allegations against the Minister, who is working in the interests of the poor. It is now clear that these allegations are only aimed at safeguarding his position in the YSRCP,” claimed Mr. Giridhar Reddy.

Accusing the erstwhile YSRCP regime of burdening the public with garbage tax and neglecting the door-to-door collection, he claimed the garbage pile-up in the dumping yards reflected the poor state of the affairs of the previous government. Mr. Roop Kumar Yadav said the YSRCP leaders were jittery ahead of the ensuing local body polls and that Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy’s ‘hollow rhetoric’ proved his party’s lack of preparedness.

Meanwhile, Mr. Narayana visited the Donthali dumping yard in Nellore on Sunday and stated that he would emerge unscathed from such allegations.

Mr. Narayana rubbished claims by YSRCP leaders of a suspected foul play behind the recent fire mishap in the dumping yard. He retorted that ‘educated illiterates’ could never understand the process of methane release from the dumping yard.

“I do not have to indulge in corruption to make money, as I can manage my educational group, which had a turnover of ₹6,500 crore in 2024,” the Minister said.