TDP leader Parchuri Ashok Babu criticised the previous YSRCP government over urban infrastructure, highlighting the NDA government’s plans for municipal roads, TIDCO houses and Anna Canteens.
Parchuri Ashok Babu accuses previous government of neglecting municipal infrastructure
₹2,500 crore allocated for restoration of 6,000 km of municipal roads, says TDP leader
TDP alleges ₹16,000 crore in central assistance was lost under previous regime
Mangalagiri: Former MLC and TDP leader Parchuri Ashok Babu on Saturday criticised the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government over its handling of urban local bodies, alleging that municipal infrastructure and civic services suffered during its five-year tenure. He said the TDP-led NDA government was taking steps to revive urban infrastructure and address pending civic needs.
Addressing the media at the TDP central office at NTR Bhavan in Mangalagiri, Ashok Babu also rejected opposition allegations concerning the ongoing local body nomination process. He said the Supreme Court had directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to consider extending the nomination period by up to 48 hours wherever necessary, adding that the extended deadline ended at 3 pm on October 24.
He claimed that NDA alliance candidates had filed a substantial number of nominations for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and ward-level positions across 28 districts.
Ashok Babu alleged that the previous YSRCP government diverted Finance Commission funds meant for local bodies, leaving gram panchayats struggling to meet even basic sanitation requirements.
He criticised the previous administration for halting key projects in Amaravati, failing to clear contractors’ dues and imposing a garbage tax that added to the financial burden on ordinary citizens.
The TDP leader also objected to changes in property tax assessment, alleging that calculating taxes based on land value instead of rental value increased the burden on residents.
He further accused the previous government of delaying the handover of TIDCO houses constructed during the earlier TDP regime, claiming that thousands of homes remained neglected instead of being delivered to eligible beneficiaries.
Ashok Babu criticised the previous government’s implementation of central schemes, including Smart Cities, the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT.
He alleged that the state government’s failure to release its matching share of funds resulted in approximately ₹16,000 crore in central assistance being lost or lapsing.
In contrast, he said the TDP government had invested ₹12,500 crore in municipal infrastructure between 2014 and 2019. He cited underground drainage networks and the installation of 69 lakh LED streetlights across Andhra Pradesh as examples of the earlier administration’s initiatives.
The financial figures and claims regarding the loss of central assistance were presented by Ashok Babu and require verification against official government records.
Ashok Babu said the current NDA government was working to address infrastructure gaps and revive stalled civic projects.
According to him, ₹2,500 crore had been allocated to restore 6,000 kilometres of damaged municipal roads. He also said the government was undertaking repairs and distribution of neglected TIDCO houses to eligible beneficiaries.
The TDP leader highlighted the reopening of 269 Anna Canteens, where meals are offered for ₹5, as another measure aimed at supporting economically weaker sections.
He added that the government was working to improve access to clean tap water for households and recover central assistance that the previous administration had allegedly failed to secure.
Concluding his address, Ashok Babu challenged the opposition to an open debate on urban development, municipal infrastructure and governance.
He accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of failing to adequately address public concerns during his tenure and argued that the opposition should explain its record on civic development before seeking public support in local body elections.
The remarks form part of the TDP’s criticism of the previous YSRCP administration. The claims about infrastructure spending, central funds and the performance of individual schemes should be assessed alongside official records and responses from the opposition.
