Jagan alleges Rs 250 crore urea scam

YSRCP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has leveled serious allegations against the current N. Chandrababu Naidu-led government, claiming an "artificial shortage" of urea has led to a scam worth Rs 200-Rs 250 crore.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the Naidu administration of deliberately creating a scarcity of the vital fertilizer to divert it to the black market. "It is evident that the fertilizer is being diverted to the black market, creating scarcity. With the encouragement and involvement of Chandrababu Naidu, its sale in the black market has turned into a scam worth Rs 200-Rs 250 crore," he stated. He further alleged that the illegal profits from this operation are being distributed among the leadership "from the top to the bottom."

Jagan also claimed that police have been issuing notices to YSRCP leaders, threatening to file cases against them if they participate in protests organized by the party. He argued that the lack of adequate support prices for agricultural produce, combined with the urea shortage, is driving farmers to "suicide."

In a separate line of attack, the former Chief Minister criticized the government's decision to develop 10 medical colleges under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He alleged that this move is a part of a larger scheme by Naidu's administration to "sell government assets for peanuts."

To contrast his administration with the current government, Jagan listed the prices of various commodities and asserted that the previous YSRCP government had a policy of intervening and supporting farmers whenever market prices dropped. This, he suggested, demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of the farming community, which he claims is now being neglected.

The YSRCP's allegations point to growing political tension in Andhra Pradesh, with the opposition party raising concerns about agricultural policy, police intimidation, and the management of state assets.