The sustained campaign by the YSR Congress Party across social media and mainstream outlets over the alleged failures of the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has become a major headache for Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Naidu has repeatedly expressed disappointment with his cabinet colleagues for failing to effectively counter the opposition’s narrative with facts and figures. On several occasions, he has personally stepped in to issue rebuttals and present clarifications.
On Wednesday, the Chief Minister was compelled to address a press conference himself, giving a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the availability of urea stocks in the state and the measures being taken to curb its illegal diversion for non-agricultural use.
Similarly, Naidu felt that his party leaders had failed to effectively respond to the YSRCP’s campaign regarding the investigation into the murder of Dalit girl Sugali Preethi eight years ago.
Cabinet Directions
On Thursday, after a cabinet meeting, Naidu instructed his colleagues to firmly counter any criticism directed at NDA alliance partners.
He stressed that alliance leaders should have promptly responded to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother, setting the record straight.
“As coalition partners, all parties should cooperate with each other and strongly respond to any criticism that arises,” Naidu said.
Jana Sena Party leader and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar pointed out that in the case of scamster Aruna, it was the failure of officials to act properly that resulted in political leaders facing the blame.
He added that officials should also have spoken up regarding the parole granted to rowdy-sheeter Srikanth.
On the Sugali Preethi case, he felt it would have been better if officials had highlighted the negligence of the previous government.
Steps Ordered by Naidu
Naidu directed senior officials to write to the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requesting an inquiry into the Sugali Preethi case, and instructed police top brass to ensure the letter was dispatched immediately.
He acknowledged that while sufficient urea stocks were available, the government was struggling to ensure smooth supply to farmers.
He asked officials to intensify efforts to counter the “false propaganda” being spread by the opposition, particularly on urea distribution.
The Chief Minister also ordered that accountability be fixed on social media administrators, and stressed that ministers and MLAs must actively respond to misinformation campaigns.
Naidu further referred to recent social media claims alleging that water was not flowing into the Kuppam canal, calling them false.
He directed his colleagues to not allow such propaganda to go unchallenged until people were fully convinced of the truth. He urged vigilance to detect and neutralize misinformation early.
