Former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu strongly criticized Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for focusing on publicity even in the midst of the recent floods that submerged Vijayawada.
Speaking to the media at the press conference in Tadepalli on Friday, Sudhakar Babu said CM Naidu is prioritizing his political image over the suffering of the flood victims. He stated that Naidu’s frequent tours with large groups were hindering relief efforts and not addressing the real needs of the affected people.
Sudhakar Babu highlighted that the Budameru stream, which caused the flooding, has become a curse on Vijayawada, entirely due to the negligence of Chandrababu Naidu. He emphasized that during Naidu’s previous tenure in power, the modernization of the Budameru Diversion Channel (BDC) was ignored, which could have prevented the disaster. He stated that Naidu’s failure to act on the Budameru project has directly contributed to the flood damage and suffering of lakhs of people.
He also questioned the absence of flood mitigation efforts at upstream reservoirs like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala. Despite a 20-hour window before the Budameru floodwaters reached Vijayawada, no precautions were taken, and no relief camps were set up, he stated. He held Naidu accountable for the loss of lives and property, pointing out that 47 people have been reported dead, but the actual toll could be higher.
He called on Naidu to stop his obsession with publicity and take responsibility for the flood victims in Vijayawada. He demanded an apology from Naidu for his role in the disaster. He questioned Naidu’s ability to continue as Chief Minister, given the magnitude of the current crisis.
