BCs in AP Suppressed Under Chandrababu: Margani Bharat

YSRCP senior leader and former MP Margani Bharat launched a sharp attack on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Telugu daily Eenadu, alleging a deliberate conspiracy to politically suppress Backward Classes (BCs) in Andhra Pradesh through “false population data.”

Addressing the media at the YSR Congress Party office in Rajahmundry, Bharat claimed that Eenadu had intentionally misrepresented BC population figures in East Godavari district to prevent BCs from gaining political representation, particularly in the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha constituency.

“False Narratives to Deny BC Representation”

Bharat said that according to the Muralidhar Commission report in 1994, BCs constituted over 50 percent of the population in East Godavari district, and the percentage could now be well above 60 percent. However, he alleged that Eenadu recently published misleading figures claiming the BC population in the district was only 29 percent.

He accused TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu of using the newspaper to manipulate public perception because YSRCP president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had allotted the Rajahmundry MP seat to BCs.

“Chandrababu has already made it clear in the past that the Rajahmundry MP seat would remain with the Kamma community irrespective of winning or losing. He cannot tolerate Jagan allocating the seat to BCs,” Bharat alleged.

He further claimed that if the actual BC population figures became widely known, the TDP would also be forced to allocate the constituency to a BC candidate.

Criticism Over Population Data

Bharat accused Eenadu of selectively publishing caste population statistics while deliberately excluding BC figures. He alleged that the newspaper highlighted the numbers of OC, SC, and ST communities while downplaying BC demographics to suit TDP’s political interests.

He questioned how the BC population could have allegedly fallen from 52 percent, as per the 1994 Muralidhar Commission report, to around 50 percent or lower now despite demographic growth trends.

“The newspaper is systematically working against BC interests and attempting to mislead the public with fabricated numbers,” he charged.

“Women Are Not Child-Bearing Machines”

The former MP also criticised the coalition government’s recent announcements promising financial incentives for larger families, including ₹30,000 for a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child.

Bharat accused Chandrababu Naidu of treating women as “child-bearing machines” and questioned the sincerity of the promises. He pointed out that Naidu and his son, Minister Nara Lokesh, themselves followed family planning norms.

“If the government cannot provide quality free education and healthcare even for one or two children, what assurance does it offer to families with three or four children?” he asked.

He also recalled that TDP leaders had earlier opposed the introduction of English-medium education in government schools during the YSRCP regime, alleging they did not want poor children to receive the same educational opportunities as privileged families.

Questions Over Welfare Promises

Bharat accused the coalition government of backtracking on its “Aadabidda Nidhi” promise, under which women were allegedly assured ₹1,500 per month.

Referring to comments made by Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, Bharat alleged that the government was now diluting its commitments and warned people not to trust the new promises regarding incentives for larger families.

Demand to Reduce Fuel VAT

The former MP also demanded an immediate reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel, reminding the coalition government of its election promise to slash fuel taxes by 50 percent.

He alleged that despite repeated promises made during the Yuva Galam padayatra and in the election manifesto, fuel prices in Andhra Pradesh had remained among the highest in the country over the last two years.

Bharat further criticised ministers for allegedly indulging in extravagance while advising people to cut expenses due to rising fuel costs. He cited the use of special flights by Nara Lokesh and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and accused ministers of spending heavily on publicity campaigns.

Allegations on Pushkaram Works

Bharat also accused Rajahmundry City MLA Adireddy Srinivas of focusing more on removing foundation stones bearing his name than on improving infrastructure.

He alleged corruption in Pushkaram-related development works and claimed that projects initiated during the YSRCP government using Special Development Funds were being repackaged by the present administration.

The former MP demanded immediate construction of a compound wall near the Pushkaram works site to avoid repeating mistakes witnessed during previous Pushkaram events.

YSRCP Rajahmundry Parliament Coordinator Dr. Guduri Srinivas was also present at the press conference.