The issue of medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh has now emerged as a hot topic in the state’s political scenario. Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has opposed privatization of medical colleges sternly and stated that his government would follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode for their establishment. Nevertheless, while receiving backing from the incumbent ministers, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders have vigorously opposed the government’s position, highlighting that just one medical college was actually completed during Jagan’s rule.
YSRCP leader and former minister RK Roja has been most vocal in her reaction. She recently challenged the women ruling ministers directly, saying she could establish the number of medical colleges constructed during the tenure of Jagan. Roja challenged them to visit the current medical colleges and witness for themselves.
While speaking, Roja blamed the present government for evading responsibility and trying to mislead the public for political purposes. She pointed out that under Jagan’s rule, seven medical colleges were either completed or well advanced in development, out of which six were already functioning. Roja made it very clear that the former government has achieved considerable progress in imparting medical education to the state.
Roja also referred to Home Minister Anitha’s recent address, saying it showed the government’s frustration about their own failures. In a stinging attack, Roja challenged the ruling ministers to visit medical colleges in towns like Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Machilipatnam, Nandyal, and Paderu. She said she would demonstrate how a medical college should be constructed and accused them of neither vision nor ability.
In the last word of ridicule, Roja asked Anitha if she was working as the Home Minister or playing a TV anchor role, accusing her of doing it all for show rather than substance. Roja even targeted actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, accusing him of wasting government assets on personal indulgences and not doing the work assigned to him for the good of the Andhra Pradesh people.
