In a surprising move, while TDP remained silent even after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speed announced lowering of crucial Polavaram project height, YCP Parliamentary Party leader Mithun Reddy strongly opposing the move, announced that his party is ready to join with the ruling-TDP in fight against this move.
He asserted in the Lok Sabha that any injustice regarding the Polavaram project would not be tolerated. He emphasized that if necessary, they are ready to fight alongside MPs across party lines to protect Andhra Pradesh’s interests. Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address in the Parliament’s budget session on Tuesday, he strongly pleaded with the government not to reduce the capacity of the Polavaram project.
Mithun Reddy strongly opposed the move, warning that Andhra Pradesh would not remain silent. “We are ready to fight alongside TDP MPs if needed. If this injustice continues, the people of Andhra Pradesh will not forgive the government,” he stated.
“The original design of Polavaram had a capacity of 194 TMC, ensuring irrigation for 7.5 lakh acres and supplying drinking water. However, budget proposals have reduced the project’s height to 41.15 meters, bringing down the capacity to 115 TMC. As a result, water supply will be limited to just 3.2 lakh acres, which is a grave injustice to farmers and the state,” he added.
The Rajampet MP also pointed out that Andhra Pradesh has already suffered due to the denial of Special Category Status (SCS) and demanded that the original capacity of the Polavaram project, as per the Reorganization Act, be maintained. “How will Banakacharla and Rayalaseema receive water if the capacity is reduced?” he questioned.
Mithun Reddy also reiterated his opposition to the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and urged the government to invite the Jindal Group for discussions regarding the Kadapa Steel Plant.
While offering to join hands with TDP on the issue of Polavaram, the YCP MP took on the task of Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government on the issues of English Medium schools and also cases against Margadarsi Chit Fund.
He accused that the Andhra Pradesh government for gradually phasing out English medium education in government schools. “Students need English education to secure jobs in multinational corporations abroad. While promoting Telugu is important, English medium education must also continue,” he said.
Accusing Margadarsi Chit Fund of violating RBI regulations, he alleged that the company engaged in financial irregularities amounting to Rs. 2,600 crore. “This scam is bigger than the Sahara and Saradha scams. A fine of Rs. 1,000 crore has already been imposed, but depositors’ money is still being diverted through renewals. A thorough investigation must be conducted, and the Prime Minister should intervene,” he demanded.
