TDP Government Accused of Relying on Propaganda, Diversion Tactics

Former Andhra Pradesh Minister Accuses TDP Government of Governing Through Propaganda

In a scathing critique delivered Wednesday in Tadepalli, former Minister Kurasala Kannababu accused the TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh of relying on propaganda and diversionary tactics rather than substantive governance.

Kannababu claimed Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has “lost political balance” after witnessing substantial public support for opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy during recent birthday celebrations. According to the former minister, this has prompted the government to resort to desperate measures to shift public attention away from growing discontent.

“The current administration survives not on effective governance but on publicity stunts and political drama,” Kannababu told reporters. “They cannot face the reality that people across Andhra Pradesh still hold strong support for YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.”

The YSRCP leader highlighted widespread opposition to the government’s plans to privatize medical colleges across the state. He alleged that instead of addressing legitimate public concerns about healthcare accessibility, the administration is attempting to malign the opposition party with fabricated allegations.

Kannababu pointed to what he described as callous indifference from the government regarding a farmer’s death in the Amaravati capital region. “A farmer who had given his land for the capital died in distress, yet this government showed absolutely no compassion. Instead, they chose to manufacture new controversies to divert public attention,” he said.

The former minister reserved particular criticism for Home Minister Anitha, accusing her of selective outrage over alleged animal sacrifice incidents. Kannababu claimed similar practices had occurred during Chandrababu Naidu’s own birthday celebrations, where goats were reportedly slaughtered. He also referenced controversial displays during Balakrishna’s movie promotions, questioning the home minister’s silence on these matters.

“Does the Home Minister have the courage to raise the same questions against Chandrababu and Balakrishna?” Kannababu asked. “The hypocrisy is evident to everyone.”

The opposition leader further alleged harassment of YSRCP workers, claiming cases are being registered against them even for displaying movie-related posters containing the phrase “Rappa Rappa.” He questioned how such dialogue could be approved by the Censor Board if it was truly objectionable, suggesting this demonstrated arbitrary enforcement of rules against political opponents.

Law and order concerns featured prominently in Kannababu’s criticisms. He cited an incident in Kuppam, the Chief Minister’s home constituency, where police allegedly failed to act on a sexual assault complaint filed by a woman. “This clearly exposes the collapse of the law enforcement system under the current administration,” he said.

Kannababu also highlighted what he called “contradictory stands” taken by the Home Minister on the Bulk Drug Park issue before and after elections, characterizing this as blatant political opportunism. According to the former minister, such inconsistency undermines public trust in governmental institutions.

The political tensions come amid increasing polarization in Andhra Pradesh politics, with both the TDP-led coalition and opposition YSRCP attempting to consolidate public support following the 2024 election results. Political analysts note that control of the narrative remains crucial as both sides position themselves for upcoming local body elections.

“A government that relies on favorable media coverage and publicity stunts cannot escape public scrutiny indefinitely,” Kannababu concluded. “The people of Andhra Pradesh deserve genuine governance, not diversionary tactics and political drama.”

The TDP-led government has not yet responded to these specific allegations, though it has previously dismissed similar criticisms as politically motivated.