YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led Andhra Pradesh government over alleged irregularities in the District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitment process, urging Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to address concerns raised by students, youth, and unemployed individuals.
In a post on “Lakhs of students, youth, unemployed, and people across the State participated in the rallies organized today by the YSR Congress Party in Assembly constituencies, strongly questioning the government over its wrongdoing and making the movement truly inspiring,” he wrote.
He recalled that the protests held over the past two months by YSRCP leaders and cadres received widespread societal support and would be remembered. “Chandrababu garu, despite your misuse of power, violation of rights guaranteed by the Constitution and attempts to suppress the movement through police force, lakhs of people came out and fought alongside the public, undeterred by detentions and threats, unmindful of notices and standing firm against authoritarianism,” he added.
The opposition demanded an immediate Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the “Mega” DSC issue and questioned the government regarding promised fee reimbursements for students and unemployment allowances. They also raised concerns about the government’s pledge of financial assistance amounting to Rs 1,500 for every woman.
YSRCP leaders demanded that Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh assume moral responsibility for these issues and resign immediately.
Jagan Reddy alleged that the party’s ten programs conducted over 74 days, including a meeting with the Governor, received overwhelming public support. Detailing the programmes, he said the party organized statewide protests by its Students’ Wing on May 29, protests and submission of representations at District Collectorates on June 1, constituency-level Town Hall meetings on June 8-9, and rallies in all 175 Assembly constituencies on June 12.
He added that the party met the State Governor on June 18 to seek an inquiry into the DSC issue, followed by statewide protest rallies by students and youth on July 28, submission of representations to District Collectors and Joint Collectors on July 31, Round Table and Town Hall meetings on August 3-4, relay hunger strikes from August 6-8, and rallies at Assembly constituency headquarters on August 10.
“Despite lakhs of people raising questions through all these programmes, Chandrababu garu, you have remained silent. You have not spoken a word so far on any of these demands,” Jagan Reddy stated.
He accused the government of failing to respond to the alleged DSC paper leak and irregularities, nearly Rs 9,000 crore pending dues under fee reimbursement schemes Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena, and the promised unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month announced during the elections. “At Rs 3,000 per month, the amount comes to Rs 36,000 a year and Rs 1,08,000 for three years, which is due to every unemployed youth,” he said.
Jagan Reddy further alleged that Nara Lokesh had failed to address questions raised by the public and called for his resignation over the DSC issue. “In a democracy, questions must be answered. It is unfortunate that you, as the Chief Minister, and your son, as the Minister concerned, have remained silent on issues concerning the future of students, unemployed youth and lakhs of families,” he said.
The YSRCP chief outlined clear demands from students, youth, and unemployed people, including a CBI inquiry into the alleged DSC paper leak and irregularities, Lokesh’s resignation, payment of pending fee reimbursement and Vasathi Deevena dues, and release of unemployment allowance along with arrears.
“Using the police to suppress those who raise questions instead of answering them is not a solution. It is merely an attempt to use the might of your authority to cover up your mistakes,” Jagan Reddy alleged. “If you do not respond, students, youth and the unemployed will not let you off. You must answer the questions being raised by Gen-Z. Until then, these fights will not stop,” he added.
Separately, YSRCP spokesperson Konda Rajiv Gandhi accused the TDP government of “confrontation” and police restrictions during the party’s protests over the DSC issue.
As part of the statewide protest, YSRCP leaders and cadres held a rally in Anakapalli demanding Education Minister Nara Lokesh’s resignation, alleging that the promised “Mega DSC” recruitment drive had been transformed into a “cheating DSC”.
However, the police stopped the bike rally at the Ring Road in Anakapalli, leading to allegations from the YSRCP that the government was attempting to limit the protest.