Vowed to strengthen BJP in AP with support of all party leaders : Purandeswari

VIJAYAWADA: AP BJP chief D. Purandeswari, who assumed charge on Thursday, vowed to strengthen Bharatiya Janata Party in Andhra Pradesh with support of all party leaders and activists for facing the forthcoming assembly general elections in AP in 2024.

Taking charge of her post at a programme held here, she called upon party supporters to reach out to people with the several central schemes being implemented in AP. She asked them to raise their voice against the anti-people policies of the YSR Congress government. 

Purandeswari said she entered politics by chance. "At every step, I received the blessings of my parents. I have assumed charge as AP party chief after taking blessings from my father N.T. Rama Rao. I take my new role in the party as a responsibility and not just a party position. Let’s work together for the ensuing polls. I will always be accessible to all our party supporters," she assured.

She thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda for reposing faith in her and appointing her as president of AP BJP.

The new state BJP chief maintained that the centre is extending all support for development of AP, so that all sections of people could benefit. She pointed out that under PM Awas Yojana, over 22 lakh houses have been sanctioned. In the last nine years, 20,000 crore have been allotted. She criticised the state government for failing to complete even 35 per cent of the sanctioned houses.

Purandeswari slammed the state government for making no efforts for development of industries. As a result, even the existing units are moving out of the state. She asked Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Reddy whether he is giving 12,000 each to farmers as assured by him before the polls. She flayed him for not informing the farmers that 6,000 is the centre’s contribution in this. 

She criticised the state government for not maintaining law and order and ensuring safety of women. She asked Jagan Mohan Reddy whether a part of income from liquor business is not going to Tadepalli palace.

Earlier, speaking to media persons, the BJP state president asked YSRC government to hand over Polavaram irrigation project to centre if it is not having the capacity to build it. She protested against the misinformation campaign by political parties that the centre is not supporting the state government. She asserted that centre is extending all support without resorting to vote bank politics.

Purandeswari underlined that AP will receive from Centre 41,300 crore for 2023–24, 46,835 crore in the form of grants, 23,037 crore as part of XV Finance Commission funds and 3,500 as GST. 

Speaking on the occasion, BJP national executive committee member N. Kiran Kumar Reddy predicted that BJP will become stronger in South India.

BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao underlined that Jana Sena-BJP alliance is the alternative to anti-incumbency against the YSR Congress government, as people do not trust TDP.

BJP national secretary Sunil Deodhar expressed confidence that BJP-Jana Sena alliance will form the government in the upcoming polls in Andhra Pradesh.