Z-plus security to Nara Lokesh: Botcha says those who can’t face people only need it

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Botcha Satyanarayana has reacted sharply to enhanced security for TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh and alleged that the TDP president Chandrababu Naidu has entered into an alliance with the BJP only for providing Z category security to Lokesh.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Botcha said, "Strong security can be given to the Chief Minister and opposition leaders but why so much security for Lokesh? People who face the wrath of public anger and cannot control their loose tongue need extra security."

Reacting to the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s directions to the YSRCP Government to not utilise the services of volunteers for distribution of cash benefits under any scheme, including social security pensions, due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force in the State, Botcha said, "Chandrababu Naidu has conspired to deny pensions to the poor. The politics of TDP is to ensure welfare schemes become unavailable to the poor and spread bad propaganda against the YSRCP.

"It is regrettable that the Department of School Education (AP DSE) has postponed the release of AP Teacher Eligibility Test (AP TET) 2024 result declaration due to the MCC. The DSC will be implemented as soon as the YSRCP comes back to power," Botcha said.

Talking about the controversy over privatisation of the Visakhapatnam steel plant, Botcha said, "Privatisation of Vizag steel plant is not in the hands of Andhra Pradesh Government. We stated our opposition to the move in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The opposition then accused us the BJP and the YSRCP had joined hands. Now who has joined hands with the BJP? When will these three parties (TDP, JSP and BJP) together state their stand for the steel plant? The announcement of the withdrawal of private funds should be made clear by the trio during their campaign. Otherwise the candidates should not be allowed to campaign in this area."

The Minister added that industrial development of Uttarandhra took place only during the reign of the YSRCP Government which setup many SEZs, Pharma and IT Hubs. "Chandrababu, who has been Chief Minister for 14 years, has nothing to show for in his account," concluded Botcha.