Chandrababu Naidu: ‘Jagan pushed Polavaram into chaos’

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a scathing attack on his predecessor, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of crippling the Polavaram Irrigation Project during his tenure from 2019 to 2024.

Speaking at a public meeting in Eluru district, Naidu called Jagan’s handling of the project a “monumental failure” that has set the state back by years in both time and resources.

Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo, claimed that the Polavaram Project—often referred to as Andhra Pradesh’s lifeline—suffered massive setbacks due to Jagan’s “ineptitude and reckless decisions.” He asserted that under the TDP government (2014-2019), the project had reached 72% completion, with over ₹13,600 crore invested.

“We laid a strong foundation, but Jagan’s government derailed it with policies like reverse tendering and contractor changes, ignoring expert advice,” Naidu charged.

Highlighting the damage caused during Jagan’s tenure, he pointed to breaches in the diaphragm wall during the 2019 and 2020 Godavari floods, blaming it on mismanagement and neglect.

“Jagan didn’t just stall Polavaram; he drowned it in inefficiency. The YSRCP government ignored expert warnings, leaving the diaphragm wall vulnerable. Fixing these damages will now cost an additional ₹12,000 crore—an unnecessary burden created by Jagan’s failures,” Naidu alleged.

Accusations of delayed rehabilitation

Naidu further accused Jagan of betraying the people of Andhra Pradesh by failing to secure sufficient central funding and delaying rehabilitation for displaced families.

“When in opposition, Jagan promised ₹10 lakh compensation per displaced family. After five years in power, he delivered nothing but excuses,” Naidu remarked, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

He also criticized Jagan for his lack of engagement with the project, contrasting it with his own proactive approach.

“I visited Polavaram 31 times as Chief Minister. How many times did Jagan go? He preferred review meetings over real action,” Naidu stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to completing Polavaram, Naidu emphasized its significance in irrigating millions of acres, generating hydropower, and securing Andhra Pradesh’s water needs.

“Polavaram is not just a project; it’s the dream of five crore people. Jagan turned it into a nightmare, but we will restore it to its rightful glory,” he vowed, announcing that full-scale construction would resume after the monsoon season.

Election strategy?

Naidu’s remarks come amid intensifying political tensions between the TDP-led NDA government and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). With local elections approaching, the Polavaram issue is expected to remain a central political battleground. While YSRCP leaders have yet to respond, Naidu’s latest offensive signals a no-holds-barred approach to dismantling Jagan’s legacy.