The political climate in Andhra Pradesh has become charged with Pawan Kalyan, Jana Sena Party chief, recently visiting Kakinada. Pawan on his tour targeted a big mafia for large scale illegal export of rice from the state and demanded seizure of an allegedly smuggling ship immediately. His comments have sparked a verbal duel among the coalition partners and the opposition parties.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken the allegations seriously, promising strict action against those involved in any illegal operations. However, the YSRCP dismissed Pawan’s claims as baseless. Party leaders questioned the credibility of his accusations, asking, “Who can stop Pawan Kalyan from accessing Kakinada Port?”
Minister Nadendla Manohar, responding to the controversy, revealed detailed export figures to address the issue. According to him, exports included 2,351,218 metric tons of rice from Krishnapatnam, 382,000 metric tons from Visakhapatnam, and a staggering 13,018,400 metric tons from Kakinada, amounting to ₹48,537 crores in value. He alleged that under the YSRCP’s previous tenure, key stakeholders were pressured, port operations were monopolized, and Kakinada was turned into a hotspot for illegal activities.
Manohar assured the public that the current government is committed to eliminating smuggling networks and addressing irregularities in the ration distribution system. He emphasized that decisive action would be taken to dismantle mafia operations and restore transparency across the state’s governance.
This fiery exchange between leaders has placed the issue of rice exports and port operations under the spotlight, leaving citizens eager to see how the government addresses these serious allegations.
