Ichchapuram: During the Telugu Desam Party’s rule, there was talk of making North Andhra the job capital of India. However, TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh criticized Jagan for allegedly diverting attention away from this goal after assuming power, accusing him of focusing on issues like cannabis cultivation instead. Lokesh lambasted the incumbent government for what he described as theatrical stunts in the four-and-a-half years leading up to the elections, without conducting a single District Selection Committee (DSC) exam. He accused Jagan of engaging in deceitful practices and conspiracies, symbolized by his choice of clothing.
Addressing a public gathering in Ichchapuram, Srikakulam district, where he launched the ‘Shankharavam’ yatra, Lokesh likened North Andhra to a mother’s love, highlighting the sentiment of the people in the region. He emphasized the historical significance of Srikakulam district, being the birthplace of notable figures such as Garimella Satyanarayana, Gouthu Lachanna, and Errannaidu, expressing gratitude for starting the yatra in such a revered area. Lokesh expressed confidence in TDP’s prospects in the upcoming elections, pledging to conduct DSC exams annually if the party returns to power.
He criticized Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for allegedly playing with the livelihoods of the unemployed, citing promises made before the 2019 assembly elections to conduct DSC exams for 23,000 posts, which, according to Lokesh, were subsequently reduced to 18,000 and further decreased under the guise of school rationalization. Lokesh accused the government of releasing DSC notifications only before elections, with insufficient vacancies, alleging that the most recent notification offered a mere 6,000 posts.