Former MLC Jupudi Prabhakara Rao warned the TDP coalition government that YSRCP would launch a protest if it proceeds with the privatization of medical colleges.
Speaking to the media at the party central office here on Thursday, the former MLC Prabhakar Rao expressed concern that Naidu’s current plans could result in the privatization of newly established medical colleges and revealed that there were attempts to stop their construction. He also highlighted that a letter was written to reject 50 approved seats in the Pulivendula Medical College. Prabhakara Rao reiterated that if the government does not reconsider its stance on the privatization of medical colleges, the YSRCP would launch protests to protect the rights of students, particularly those from SC, ST, and BC communities, ensuring that they are not deprived of medical education opportunities.
He highlighted that 17 medical colleges were established to make medical education more accessible to underprivileged students under the leadership of YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. In contrast, he noted that during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure, even with 14 years in office, no new government medical college was established.
He further mentioned that the efforts of the previous YSRCP government have resulted in 2,550 new medical seats being made available, raising the total to nearly 5,000 seats. The fees collected from these seats would go directly to the colleges for their maintenance and development, ensuring efficient operations in the future. He recalled that when the previous government had introduced self-finance and NRI quota seats, the then opposition TDP and its supporters criticized the move.
Prabhakara Rao pointed out that Chandrababu Naidu was the one who initiated privatization in the state, and he had also played a role in weakening public sector institutions. He mentioned that the policies of liberalization, privatization, and globalization were at the core of Naidu’s approach.
Slamming Naidu for his comments on YSRCP Chief, he stated that no politician has been more inconsistent than Naidu and recalled how Naidu used to take U turns on his stance for political convenience. He criticized Chandrababu Naidu for mismanagement in handling flood relief operations in Vijayawada, where 60 people reportedly lost their lives. Despite the warning signs, he added, the TDP government failed to take adequate measures. He pointed that even in election promises, such as the “Super Six” schemes, the government was unable to deliver effectively.
