CM Naidu Prioritizes Publicity Over People, Says YSRCP
YSRCP spokesperson Putha Siva Shankar accuses CM Chandrababu Naidu of prioritizing social media influencers over farmers and unemployed youth.
The YSRCP has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of an "obsession with publicity" that comes at the expense of the state's welfare. Speaking at the party's central office, YSRCP State spokesperson Putha Siva Shankar claimed that while public funds are being diverted toward government promotion, essential groups like farmers, unemployed youth, and employees are being left without support.
Allegations of Misusing Public Funds for Influencers
A major point of contention raised by the YSRCP is the government's decision to empanel social-media influencers to promote state programs. Sivashankar highlighted that Rs 330 crore has already been allocated to the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) department. He questioned the necessity of a new mechanism for influencers when traditional print and electronic media are already in place.
The spokesperson expressed serious concerns regarding the following:
- High Monthly Payments: Influencers could be paid up to Rs 1.5 lakh per month.
- Unpaid Allowances: The promised Rs 3,000 unemployment allowance remains unpaid to the youth.
- Fraud Risks: The potential for using fake followers and bots to manipulate public perception using taxpayer money.
Challenges to the Government's Narrative
The YSRCP challenged the government to ensure these paid influencers address the actual crises facing the state. Sivashankar demanded to know why these promotional efforts do not cover critical issues such as:
- Flooding in Amaravati and droughts in the Rayalaseema region.
- The unfulfilled "Super Six" promises, including the ₹1,500 monthly assistance for women.
- Pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Interim Relief (IR) for employees.
- The status of medical colleges, which the YSRCP claims are being pushed toward privatization despite being 80% complete.
- The lack of support for farmers whose crops were damaged by heavy rains and cyclone-like conditions in North Andhra.
Suppression of Dissent and Media Harassment
Beyond financial allocations, the YSRCP accused the administration of creating a hostile environment for neutral voices. The party alleged that opposition accounts are being suppressed while fake IDs are used to create misinformation. Furthermore, they claimed that journalists and neutral commentators are facing harassment under the guise of investigations by police and federal agencies.
The spokesperson also criticized the Home Minister for prioritizing social media "reels" at barrages over substantive governance and questioned the Chief Minister's decision to travel abroad during periods of local crisis. The YSRCP concluded by stating that the withdrawal of free crop insurance and the neglect of journalists' welfare are clear signs that the government is prioritizing optics over the needs of the people.