Leave Alone GST, People In AP Have To Pay TST: YS Jagan

Narasaraopet: Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh assembly and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused that the TDP government was fleecing money from the public for everything that they happen to do in the state. Speaking at a massive public meeting as part of the Praja Sankalpa Yatra here today, he said "apart from GST, the people in the state will have to shell out money as TST (Telugu Desam Service Tax)."

YS Jagan mentioned that businessmen in Narasaraopet were not just suffering because of GST, they were forced to pay additionally TST. The TST was meant for the TDP party, its leaders and workers, he mentioned and said that from Janmabhoomi Committees to irrigation projects people were forced to pay TST. By TST, he means the commissions that the ruling party was demanding from people.

Addressing the huge gathering, Opposition Leader informed that in Narasaraopet the situation was much worse because businessmen here had to make yet another payment, apart from GST and TST, they had to pay KST. "From railway contracts to electricity department contracts; from Kotappakonda contracts to liquor contracts; for new film releases; and even for auto rickshaws to cycle rickshaws none of them are spared, everyone have to shell out money to the TDP MLA," he accused.

YSRCP Chief said that it was corruption at every instance in Chandrababu's rule and added that if the same situation of corruption continued, the state would become number one corrupt state in the country.

YS Jagan mentioned that there was a need to establish a medical college and a polytechnic college in Narasaraopet constituency. He told the people at the public meeting that he has been receiving numerous requests and memorandums from different walks of people for developmental works to be taken up in this region. "There is need for four-lane road from Narasaraopet to Chirala. With the town expanding, there is need for yet another drinking water reservoir here. People have been telling the government and TDP leaders, but they are not concerned," he informed.

Tale of a Thief

The Leader of the Opposition later went on to narrate a tale of a thief, with reference to Chandrababu. He said, "Once upon a time there was a thief. On a bad day he was caught red-handed while trying to commit robbery. People and authorities questioned him. His answer was: If you arrest me, our village will be put to shame, not me. The thief went on to say that: If you arrest me, our village and its people will become feeble."

YS Jagan pointed out that on hearing this story he was reminded of Chandrababu who was also behaving like the thief in the story and blackmailing that if he was weakened, the state would turn feeble. He pointed that the AP CM was cheating the people of the state with such manipulative statements. "Who told you to indulge in cheating, manipulation and illegal activities?" he asked.