Vijayawada :Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu celebrated the completion of one year in office today, hailing June 4 as the day that marked the end of what he described as the “tyrannical rule” of the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. In a stark contrast, the opposition YSRCP, led by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, observed the same day as “Backstabbing Day,” accusing Naidu and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of betraying the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu Reflects on One Year of Governance
Speaking at a media interaction in Vijayawada, Chief Minister Naidu, leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), reflected on his government’s achievements since assuming power on June 12, 2024, following a landslide victory in the 2024 Assembly elections. He emphasized that June 4, the day the election results were announced, symbolically marked the end of the YSRCP’s “anarchic and tyrannical rule,” which he claimed had hindered the state’s progress.
“June 4, 2024, rewrote history and ushered in new hope for Andhra Pradesh. The people gave a historic verdict, freeing themselves from tyrannical rule,” Naidu said, highlighting initiatives like WhatsApp Governance, the “Margadarsi–Bangaru Kutumbam” poverty eradication program, and the “P4” initiative aimed at leveraging emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence for development. He also expressed optimism about reviving Amaravati as the state capital, predicting it would attract the Telugu film industry back from Hyderabad.
Naidu further noted efforts to counsel officials to shed the mindset of the previous regime and tackle issues like social media trolling, vowing to deal with “mafia and rowdy elements” through legal processes.
YSRCP Observes ‘Backstabbing Day’
In a sharp counter, the YSRCP staged statewide protests, branding June 4 as “Backstabbing Day” to highlight what they allege is the Naidu-led NDA government’s failure to fulfill pre-election promises. YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the current administration of a breakdown in law and order, pointing to alleged police excesses against three youths in Tenali as evidence of misuse of power.
“Chandrababu Naidu and the NDA stabbed the people in the back, selling trust for power,” Jagan Mohan Reddy declared, urging citizens to mark the day in protest. YSRCP state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy announced statewide demonstrations, slamming the government for pausing schemes, removing volunteers, delaying pensions, and failing to launch new projects. “Not a single new initiative has been started—just re-inaugurations of Jagan-era projects,” he claimed.
Social media posts from YSRCP supporters echoed these sentiments, with hashtags like #1YearForCBNBackStabbing and #VennupotuDinam trending. Party leaders highlighted a rise in murders, sexual assaults, and illegal cases, alleging that ex-ministers, CMO staff, and senior IAS/IPS officers were jailed on false charges.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s Call for Celebration
Adding to the narrative, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party (JSP) president K. Pawan Kalyan called on citizens to celebrate June 4 as “Freedom from Jagan’s Rule Day.” Describing the YSRCP’s defeat in 2024 as a “festival,” he encouraged people to decorate homes with rangoli, hold competitions for women, light lamps, and burst crackers to mark the end of what he called an “anarchic rule.” Pawan Kalyan also urged JSP cadre to launch a digital campaign to amplify the message.
A Year of Contrasts
The dueling narratives underscore the deep political divide in Andhra Pradesh as Naidu’s TDP-led NDA coalition, comprising the JSP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), completes one year in power. While Naidu’s administration claims to be unraveling the “knots” of YSRCP’s alleged misgovernance and steering the state toward progress, the opposition accuses the government of deception, political vendetta, and neglecting welfare.
As both sides mark June 4 with contrasting events—celebrations for the ruling coalition and protests for the opposition—the day encapsulates the ongoing battle for public perception in Andhra Pradesh’s charged political landscape.
