CM Chandrababu Government Obsessed With Publicity, Alleges YSRCP Leader Puththa Sivashankar

YSRCP spokesperson Puththa Sivashankar on Saturday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of giving excessive importance to publicity while failing to adequately address the concerns of farmers, unemployed youth, employees and journalists.

Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Sivashankar alleged that public money was being spent on promoting the government instead of providing relief to people facing various problems. He claimed that Rs 330 crore had already been allocated to the Information and Public Relations Department.

Questioning the need for a separate social media influencer network, Sivashankar said the government already had an official PRO system as well as print and electronic media to communicate its schemes and programmes.

The YSRCP leader also questioned the government’s recently approved policy to empanel social media influencers. Under the policy, influencers are to be categorised based on factors such as followers, reach and performance, with payments linked to these parameters. Sivashankar alleged that the government was considering payments of up to Rs 1.5 lakh a month to influencers.

He questioned why the promised Rs 3,000 unemployment allowance had not been implemented while funds were being earmarked for influencer-based publicity. He alleged that the system could benefit TDP and its affiliated social media accounts and warned of the possibility of misuse through fake followers and bots.

Sivashankar asked whether social media reels could conceal issues such as Amaravati floods, drought in Rayalaseema and pending promises under the ‘Super Six’ scheme. He also raised questions over the promised Rs 1,500 assistance for women, fee reimbursement, pending dearness allowance and interim relief for employees, and the status of medical colleges.

He further alleged that farmers affected by heavy rains in north Andhra were not receiving adequate assistance. He criticised the government over the handling of employee protests in Srikakulam and questioned the Chief Minister’s foreign visit amid the prevailing situation.

Sivashankar also alleged that the government had discontinued the free crop insurance scheme implemented during the previous YSRCP regime and was neglecting the welfare and health needs of journalists. He said public funds meant to address the concerns of farmers, employees and unemployed youth should not be diverted towards publicity.