At a time when the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh is determined to expose YS Jaganmohan Reddy regime’s corrupt and irregular practices and take stern action, the government’s informal decision to continue the SEKI deal on solar power purchase is likely to push both TDP and Jana Sena into defence.
Though both Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan are in delicate position to act against Gautam Adani business interests, in view of his proximity with Narendra Modi-led government and also the state government itself expecting huge investments in the state, it is likely to emerge as a boon to YCP leadership.
Already YCP leadership is seen as assertive in defending against allegations of US court indictment of alleged huge bribes to former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy in this deal.
On the one hand, after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu came to power, he gave a PowerPoint presentation saying that the agreements signed with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) during Jagan’s tenure would cost the people more than Rs 1 lakh crore. Even while in the opposition, TDP leaders alleged that there was large-scale corruption in the SECI agreement.
And it is clear that the TDP, Jana Sena and BJP alliance, which should not burden the people with lakhs of crores of rupees after coming to power, has decided to move forward with this agreement. AP power companies have submitted proposals to purchase 4191 million units of electricity through SECI from the next financial year. Thus a signal was given that there is no cancellation of the agreement on this basis.
On the other hand, there is a discussion going on in the ruling and political circles that both Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan have given their seal of approval to Jagan’s corruption and Adani’s exploitation. Pawan Kalyan, who spoke against TDP Home Minister Anitha in a public meeting, said that if this is the case, he will have to take over the Home Ministry.
Pawan Kalyan openly questioned Kakinada TDP MLA Kannababu, saying, “What are you doing if PDS rice is being exported illegally in Kakinada?”. Chandrababu and Power Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar were questioned in the same way about the SEKI agreement.
If Pawan Kalyan, who is openly criticizing all issues despite being in the government, leaves this matter, which will burden the people of Andhra Pradesh with a burden of one lakh crore rupees, then there is a possibility that people will suspect that he also has a role in this.
Power companies do not make proposals to purchase power from SEKI without the permission of the government. TDP circles are fearing that the government’s positive response towards the SEKI deal is likely to send a wrong signal to the people to believe that for Chandrababu the interests of Jagan and Adani became more important than the interests of the people of Andhra Pradesh.