Jagan accuses A.P. CM Naidu of claiming credit for Bhogapuram airport
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of attempting to claim credit for the
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of attempting to claim credit for the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, despite making “no meaningful contribution" to the project. In a post on X on Wednesday, the former Chief Minister asserted that the airport was the outcome of the YSRCP government's efforts and described the TDP national president’s role as one of "credit without contribution." In a strongly worded statement ahead of the airport's inauguration, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy welcomed the launch of the international airport, saying it would emerge as a major growth engine for the North Andhra by boosting trade, tourism and investment.
He said the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would bring international recognition to Bhogapuram and enhance its visibility among investors and travellers. However, Mr. Jagan alleged that Mr. Naidu was trying to appropriate the achievements of the previous YSRCP government. The TDP government had done little beyond laying the foundation stone shortly before the 2019 Assembly elections, he said and questioned what tangible contribution Mr. Naidu had made to the project. Listing the works undertaken during the YSRCP’s tenure, Mr. Jagan said his government signed the concession agreement with GMR in June 2020 and completed the key milestones, including land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced families, site clearance, statutory approvals, security clearances, financial closure, water and power supply, internal roads and other supporting infrastructure.
He claimed the YSRCP government had spent nearly ₹1,200 crore on land acquisition, rehabilitation, water supply, infrastructure development, alternative roads and a power substation, enabling construction to progress despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the runway had reached a crucial stage and terminal construction was progressing rapidly by the time the YSRCP demitted office in 2024. Jagan said his government had earlier announced that flight operations from Bhogapuram would commence by June 2026 and maintained that the airport was now ready for inauguration because of the groundwork completed during the YSRCP tenure. The former Chief Minister also criticised the present government for failing to provide adequate road connectivity to the airport.
The BriefWire