During the YSRCP regime, Minister Nara Lokesh recently alleged that Sakshi Media and Bharathi Cements, which are linked to the family of Jagan Mohan Reddy, received undue benefits to the tune of ₹1,000 crore. He made these remarks while interacting with the media in the Assembly lobbies on Monday. According to what Nara Lokesh said, undue benefit means gaining advantage in violation of rules and through illegal means. If that is the case, even though nearly two years have passed since the coalition government came to power in Andhra Pradesh, why has no action been taken against those who allegedly obtained public money illegally? Does Nara Lokesh have an answer to this question? If the matter has been left aside like this, does it mean that the coalition’s policy is to use such issues politically when needed and then completely drop them later?
On one hand, alleging that ₹1,000 crore was gained illegally, and on the other hand, not initiating any action against those who benefited — what is the story behind this? Have they let it go with the attitude that “they did it during their tenure, we will do it during ours”? There is a discussion that Nara Lokesh has now raised the issue of Sakshi Media and Bharathi Cements because the YSRCP brought the Heritage–Indapur Dairy controversy, linked to Chandrababu’s family, into the spotlight. It is true that Sakshi Media benefited on a large scale during the time when Jagan Mohan Reddy was Chief Minister. Even though Eenadu was number one in circulation, Sakshi reportedly received advertisements on a larger scale at that time. Official sources say that the rate card was also increased by more than 50 percent compared to the past. All these are officially recorded matters. However, there are no instances so far of the coalition government taking any action on this issue.
There have been criticisms, both in the media and politically, over Nara Lokesh frequently making foreign visits to watch cricket matches. Responding to this issue as well during the chit-chat, Nara Lokesh said that if India reaches the final of the T20 World Cup, he will once again go to watch the match, and if he goes, he will also buy a ticket for Jagan. On one hand, criticizing that through Sakshi Media and Bharathi Cements undue benefits of ₹1,000 crore were obtained over five years, and on the other hand, saying that he would buy a ticket for Jagan — TDP leaders themselves are commenting that it is not clear what signals Nara Lokesh is sending through such statements.
Nara Lokesh had once criticized Indosol, a company belonging to Visweshwar Reddy, who is known as a close industrialist to Jagan, calling it a fake investment company and stating that even the company’s address was Pulivendula. But now, even though the coalition government has rolled out the red carpet for that company, he is not raising his voice. TDP leaders themselves are expressing the opinion that there is no consistency between what Nara Lokesh said while in the opposition and the actions after coming to power. Ministers in Chandrababu’s cabinet are also saying that Nara Lokesh seems to have agreed to adjustments on old issues and is focusing more on new matters.