YS Jagan Calls Budget a “Numbers Gimmick,” Alleges Fiscal Mismanagement

YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday launched a strong attack on the Andhra Pradesh coalition government, alleging that the latest state budget presented by Chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu misrepresents financial realities and fails to fulfil key election promises. Addressing a press conference at the party’s central office in Tadepalli , he accused the ruling alliance of prioritising publicity over governance and misleading citizens through inflated projections and unimplemented welfare assurances.

Jagan described the budget as a “numbers gimmick” , questioning official claims on Gross State Domestic product (GSDP) growth and pointing to audit observations that indicate weak own-revenue performance. He argued that although the government claims growth above the national average, rising prices and declining purchasing power show that economic benefits are not reaching ordinary households. He further alleged that revenue leakages and irregularities in resource sectors have weakened the state treasury, even as Andhra Pradesh continues to face structural fiscal pressures after bifurcation and ongoing development commitments.

Criticising the government’s election assurances, he said guarantee bonds distributed during the 2024 campaign have not translated into policy action. He questioned the absence of promised support to farmers, monthly financial assistance for women, and unemployment allowances, alleging neglect of the agriculture sector and weakening welfare delivery. He also claimed government staff face financial stress due to pending dues and the absence of salary revisions , interim relief adjustments, or Pay Revision Commission (PRC) implementation, concerns that employee unions have periodically raised.

The former chief minister further accused the government of increasing borrowings while indulging in non-essential expenditure, warning that rising liabilities could burden future finances. Fiscal sustainability remains a long-standing concern in Andhra Pradesh, where borrowing has historically funded welfare programmes and infrastructure projects. While critics demand tighter fiscal discipline and revenue expansion, the government maintains that strategic borrowing is essential to stimulate growth and attract investment.