Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu made an entry at the ‘Pedhala Sevalo’ (pension distribution) public meeting in Jammalamadugu constituency here on Friday by sitting in an autorickshaw. The incident left the participants in awe, while the video went viral on various social media platforms.

It was in this connection that Mr. Naidu had reiterated his aim to drive the State towards prosperity by ensuring that the welfare schemes reach out to all the intended beneficiaries.

After distributing widow pension to Alivelamma, he quizzed her about her source of livelihood, to which she mentioned her sons, working as a weaver and an autorickshaw driver, as the breadwinners. Herself a weaver, she also showed Mr. Naidu the loom on which she worked.

It was then Ms. Alivelamma requested the Chief Minister to travel in her son’s autorickshaw, to which he readily agreed and even sat beside the driver.

Moved by the gesture, the mother and her son thanked him.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu interacting with a beneficiary at Jammalamadugu, Kadapa district, on Friday.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Mr. Naidu distributed pensions to the tune of ₹43.4 crore to 1.08 lakh widows, who he said were left out by the previous regime.

Hinting at inclusive welfare, he said, “A sum of ₹5200 crore will be spent every year to support eligible women and widows.”

Slams Jagan

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naidu slammed YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for trying to create ‘unrest in the State’ with his tours. In the same vein, he criticised the media organisation owned by Mr. Jagan for making false propaganda.

Expressing shock over the alleged derogatory comment made by the former Kovur legislator N. Prasanna Kumar Reddy against the incumbent woman MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy, Mr. Naidu wondered how Mr. Jagan could support the offender and call on him at Nellore, instead of condemning the act.

Stating that a responsible leader would not tolerate such misdeeds, he warned that anyone acting irresponsibly in his party would face action.

Turning his ire on the media house owned by Mr. Jagan, he said the channel showed the crowd mobilised during Mr. Jagan’s visit to Bangarupalyam and wrongly projected it as the gathering of party activists in Nellore.

Mr. Naidu cautioned the public not to believe the fake narratives deliberately floated by media houses having vested interests, but have faith in the government that would fulfil the promises made to the public.