YSRCP attacks Naidu over Waltair Division reorganisation, to launch agitation

YSRCP district president K.K. Raju on Wednesday hit out at Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and MPs of the TDP-led alliance for staying silent on the Railway Board’s decision to reorganise Waltair Division. He said the move would severely harm North Andhra’s interests.

Speaking at a media conference, Mr. Raju said the Railway Board excluded the crucial Kothavalasa–Kirandul line from Waltair Division. He said it also shifted key revenue-generating regions of North Andhra to the Rayagada Division. He called the bifurcation “unjust and unscientific”.

Mr. Raju said the decision would weaken Waltair Division financially. He warned that it would affect the division’s long-term viability. He questioned why the Chief Minister did not intervene despite knowing the impact.

“The Chief Minister remained silent even as Waltair Division lost its major revenue zones,” Mr. Raju alleged. He said the decision showed the government’s continued neglect of North Andhra.

The YSRCP leader alleged that Mr. Naidu was not keen on developing Visakhapatnam and the nearby areas. He claimed that growth in Visakhapatnam would hurt real estate prospects in Amaravati. He said this thinking influenced the government’s priorities.

Linking the issue to other pending projects, Mr. Raju alleged that the Centre was pushing decisions without resistance from the State. He claimed the government was allowing phased privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. He also alleged that it had ignored the long-pending Vizag Metro Rail Project.

Mr. Raju also mocked Mr. Naidu’s claim of having a strong influence at the Centre. He alleged that the Chief Minister was acting in line with the BJP. He said the TDP-led alliance failed to protect North Andhra despite having MPs and Union Cabinet Ministers.

Mr. Raju announced that the YSRCP would soon launch an agitation. He said the party would protest against the injustice to Waltair Division and North Andhra. He demanded that the Railway Board reverse the decision and restore revenue-rich areas and key routes to the Waltair Division.

Calling for unity, Mr. Raju urged people of North Andhra to support the agitation. He said the campaign would continue until authorities correct the decision.