Frustrated Chandrababu Fails As An Opposition Leader

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu's frustration is spiraling out of control. Recently he is known to have described YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's rule as that by a madman. Chandrababu should have said that in the Assembly and seen how YSRCP MLAs and Ministers would have responded. So for TDP and Chandrababu splurging public money by recklessly inking power purchase agreements without any rationale amounts to great rule! One fails to understand as to how a government which is trying to uncover the wrongdoings that had taken place in power purchase agreements can be pilloried so badly.

It may have been true that the rates pertaining to solar and wind power were high once upon a time, but with the advancement in the technology, those rates have come down significantly. But the previous TDP government bought power at exorbitant prices. The successor state of Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation emerged as a state with surplus power. However, the Chandrababu Naidu's dispensation bought power from outside, private companies. It is not difficult to figure out as to why the previous government chose to do so.

From the beginning, YS Jagan demonstrated clarity that he would not let power being bought at higher prices and vowed to root out corruption. To this effect, YS Jagan's Advisor Ajay Kallam too explained as to what went wrong with power purchase agreements in the past. But Chandrababu and his minions held onto a letter from the Centre trying to disprove the claims of YS Jagan and called the latter's rule as that of a madman.

In fact, people who voted out TDP in a humiliating manner actually felt that Chandrababu Naidu's rule was nothing short of a madman sitting at the helm of affairs. But Chandrababu is now conducting himself as if the people's verdict doesn't matter to him. He is still of the opinion that there is no one capable than him in the world. If that's the case, why distribution companies in Andhra Pradesh have Rs 20,000 crore arrears pending to be paid? So according to Chandrababu this doesn't amount to a rule of a madman.

On the other hand, one fails to understand as to why the Centre had chimed in with a letter as regards to power purchase agreements pertaining to Andhra Pradesh. One can't help but think that the Centre is being manipulated and influenced. Here, the State has not sought any opinion or any instructions on the issue, but Centre goes ahead to do this!

The people of Andhra Pradesh are very well aware of the fact Chandrababu is adept at managing systems and power centres with his coverts in appropriate places. The letter from Centre is highly suspicious. Even BJP leaders from AP are also pointing to the fact that this is a trap set by Chandrababu and the Centre had no intention to back the previous TDP regime and its corruption.

It is for the people to decide if buying power at Rs 2 per unit is better than Rs 4.50. It is certainly worth appreciating that the YSRCP government has decided to review the said agreements in order to minimise the loss to exchequer as well as not to harm power companies. TDP's hue and cry about power purchase agreements are nothing but it wants to hide its corruption. Chandrababu Naidu has failed as an Opposition leader in providing constructive criticism; rather, he is trying to save his face amidst mounting corruption allegations.

YS Jagan, on the other hand, by his decision to review PPAs trying to save Rs 2,500 crore every year and Rs 12,500 crore in the next five years. This decision of his deserves praise.