Naidu condemns ‘false campaign’ against DSC recruitment, warns against attacks on teachers

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Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiling plaques marking the launch of various development works in the Kuppam constituency on Monday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday condemned the alleged attack on the District Selection Committee (DSC) sports quota teacher recruits by the YSR Congress Party activists in Vijayawada and warned that assaults on teachers would invite stern action.

Addressing a public meeting in the Kothapeta locality here, the Chief Minister said that teachers recruited under the sports quota of DSC were protesting in Vijayawada to assert that their jobs were hard-earned and “not fake”. Terming the YSRCP a “fake party”, Mr. Naidu said it was deplorable that “rowdies attacked gurus in broad daylight.”

Defending the recruitment record of his government, Mr. Naidu observed that DSC notifications issued during his tenure were free from corruption, while the regime never witnessed a paper leak. “It is a year since appointments were made. But now the YSRCP has unleashed false propaganda. Teachers have been promptly countering the campaign from Kurnool’s Kondareddy Buruju, Vijayawada’s Ambedkar statue and the Visakhapatnam beachfront,” he said.

Challenging the YSRCP to a debate in the Assembly with evidence, the Chief Minister said that courts were open for any legal dispute over a lawful process, not street attacks.

Mr. Naidu said the State witnessed unprecedented destruction during 2019-24 with the previous regime indulging in rowdyism. “Even my visits to Kuppam were obstructed, and the TDP cadres were harassed. The sacred Tirumala laddu suffered adulteration. After defeat, they still talk of murderous politics. The tail of rowdies would be cut. Kuppam is strong enough to drive out destruction-seekers,” Mr. Naidu said.

Stating that Naravaripalle gave him birth but Kuppam gave him political life, Mr. Naidu said Kuppam and Hindupur were the two constituencies that always voted for the “Cycle” symbol.

Regarding developmental activities, the Chief Minister said that the Handri-Neeva canal has brought water to fill 133 tanks in the Kuppam region. Amid El Niño-induced drought, reservoirs were planned at Yamigani Palle, Manapalle and a ₹45-crore reservoir at Beeruvani Palle on the Kuppam branch canal. Over 550 minor irrigation tanks would be linked through lift irrigation and pipelines, with a fodder security plan.

He urged farmers to adopt natural farming, PMDS, micro-irrigation, and cultivation of millets, besides livestock and poultry farming to fight drought and raise incomes.

Listing out the development works in the constituency, Mr. Naidu said that the foundation stone for ₹7,939 crore worth of works was laid in Kuppam two months ago. “Now, ‘bhoomi puja’ is being performed for ₹38 crore municipal works and ₹289 crore worth of other projects.