TDP, YSRCP Clash Over PPP Plan for Medical Colleges

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) continued their political face-off on Thursday over the State government’s plan to develop medical colleges under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

TDP Andhra Pradesh State president Palla Srinivasa Rao accused the YSRCP of spreading “false information” to mislead people about the policy. “The NDA government chose the PPP model to improve access to quality medical education and build strong healthcare facilities across Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao, who represents Gajuwaka in the Assembly, said the YSRCP had no moral right to criticise the move. “When they were in power, they allocated 50% of seats in government medical colleges under the private quota. Government Orders 107, 108, and 133 prove this,” he said.

He alleged that the previous YSRCP government did not spend any money from the State budget for medical college construction. “The entire ₹1,550 crore used came from Central government funds,” he said.

According to him, construction work had progressed very slowly under the earlier regime. “Only 18% of the work was completed in four years. At that pace, it would have taken 15 years to finish all 17 colleges,” he said.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao called the YSRCP’s criticism “a deliberate attempt to misguide people.” He said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s government was committed to completing the projects quickly and transparently. “We want every student to have access to quality medical education and every district to have better healthcare,” he said.

The PPP model has now become a key political issue between the two parties. While the TDP calls it a step toward reform and progress, the YSRCP continues to oppose it, calling it a move that benefits private players.