The Andhra Pradesh government has launched an elaborate programme titled 'Yogaandhra-2026' to mark International Yoga Day on June 21, setting a target of engaging one crore citizens across the state in yoga activities, from village level to the state capital.

The flagship event will be held in Amaravati, where 25,000 participants are expected to gather for a state-level yoga session. In the fortnight leading up to the day, awareness drives, walkathons, social media campaigns, and demonstration events will be conducted under the Yogaandhra banner from June 7 to June 20.

District-wise thematic approach

In what officials describe as a distinctive feature of this year's observance, each of the state's 28 districts has been assigned a specific community or occupational group as its theme. NTR district will conduct sessions with police personnel, while East Godavari will involve prison inmates. Visakhapatnam's programme is themed around serving and retired defence personnel, and Alluri Sitarama Raju district will focus on tribal communities.

Other notable pairings include Kurnool with sanitation workers, Tirupati with celebrities, Anantapur with persons with disabilities, and YSR Kadapa with multi-generational family participation. Guntur district's sessions will centre on engineering students, while Prakasam will engage DWACRA women's groups. Each district headquarters is required to ensure a minimum of 1,000 participants.

Infrastructure and digital outreach

Competitions in yoga will be held at village, mandal, district, and state levels, with participation open to students, athletes, women's self-help groups, health workers, and industrial labourers, among others. Venues including schools, parks, community halls, stadiums, and gram sachivalayams will be equipped with drinking water, seating, and temporary shelters.

Oversight of the programme at the district level has been entrusted to the respective Collectors. The Tourism Department has been directed to organise special yoga demonstrations at more than 100 tourist sites across the state.

To streamline participation, the government plans to develop a dedicated web portal and an AI-based registration and verification application. Digital certificates will be issued to all participants upon completion.

Nellore, May 19: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday announced a series of welfare and infrastructure measures for fishermen communities, including financial assistance during the annual fishing ban period, subsidised mechanised boats and promotion of seaweed cultivation for coastal women.

Participating in the “Matsyakarula Sevalo” programme at Tummalapenta village in Kavali constituency of Nellore district, the Chief Minister released ₹261.50 crore as financial assistance to 1,30,796 fishermen families. Under the scheme, each eligible family received ₹20,000 directly into their bank accounts.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Naidu said the government was committed to safeguarding the livelihood interests of fishermen and ensuring their participation in coastal development. He asserted that the State would strengthen coastal surveillance and prevent intrusion by fishing boats from neighbouring States into Andhra Pradesh waters.

The Chief Minister announced that 200 mechanised fishing boats would be sanctioned with 60% subsidy support, while the remaining cost would be covered through bank loans. He said the government was already extending diesel subsidy assistance to mechanised and motorised fishing boats.

Highlighting infrastructure development in the fisheries sector, Mr. Naidu said the State was constructing nine fishing harbours and eight fish landing centres with an estimated investment of ₹3,256 crore.

He also announced a seaweed cultivation initiative aimed at generating additional livelihood opportunities for fisherwomen and women self-help groups. A training programme for seaweed cultivation was launched with support from Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute.

The Chief Minister said fishermen would continue to enjoy exclusive rights for fish cultivation and marketing in reservoirs and inland water bodies across the State. He also assured support for improving market access for fisheries products.

During his visit, Mr. Naidu inspected coastal surveillance systems, including drone-based monitoring and GPS-enabled tracking systems intended to improve fishermen safety and curb illegal intrusion into Andhra Pradesh coastal waters.

He further announced infrastructure works including road connectivity for 25 fishermen villages in the region and desilting works for the North Buckingham Canal.

Ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Atchannaidu and Farooq, along with other public representatives, participated in the programme.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh BJP president PVN Madhav expressed concern over the mounting financial burden on aqua farmers due to rising fuel prices triggered by global geopolitical tensions.

Participating in the “Cheruvula Parirakshana” and “Janata Varadhi” programmes, Mr. Madhav said international political developments, particularly tensions between Iran and the United States, had impacted the global economy and led to an increase in crude oil prices, thereby pushing up domestic fuel costs.

He observed that the aquaculture sector was heavily dependent on fuel for the operation of motors, aerators, transportation and feed supply, resulting in a sharp rise in operational expenditure for farmers. The increase in production costs, coupled with export slowdown and market instability, was placing severe pressure on the sector, he said.

Mr. Madhav stated that small and medium-scale aqua farmers were facing significant economic stress under the prevailing conditions. He assured that the Bharatiya Janata Party would take the concerns of aqua farmers to the attention of both the Union and State governments and seek measures such as diesel subsidy, electricity concessions, financial assistance and restructuring of loans.

Highlighting the importance of the aquaculture sector to Andhra Pradesh’s economy, he said the industry provided livelihoods to thousands of families and required sustained policy support from governments.

Mr. Madhav said aqua farmers need not lose confidence, adding that the BJP remained committed to supporting the sector and addressing the issues affecting farmers.

Kurnool, May 19: BJP State president PVN Madhav on Tuesday said party workers remained the principal strength behind the Bharatiya Janata Party’s organisational expansion and called upon cadre to work with the spirit of “nation first, politics later.”

Participating in the district-level training camp organised under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan in Kurnool, Mr. Madhav addressed party workers on ideological orientation, organisational responsibilities, leadership development and public outreach.

He said the BJP recognised and encouraged every worker who served the party with commitment and selflessness. Party cadre, he observed, were the true ambassadors responsible for taking the party’s ideology and welfare initiatives to the people.

Mr. Madhav underlined the need for continuous training to strengthen leadership qualities, social awareness and responsiveness to public issues among party workers. He urged cadre to uphold values such as patriotism, discipline, dedication to society and service-mindedness while remaining closely connected with people at the grassroots level.

Stressing the growing influence of social media in shaping public opinion, he advised workers to remain vigilant against misinformation and effectively counter false propaganda with facts. He also called upon party cadre to maintain cordial relations with the public and safeguard the party’s credibility through responsible conduct.

Referring to national issues, Mr. Madhav said the country was passing through a phase that required citizens to remain alert on matters concerning national security, democratic values and social harmony. He pointed to global geopolitical developments and the spread of misinformation on digital platforms as areas of concern.

He said the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking firm measures to strengthen national security, economic stability and internal governance. Citizens, irrespective of political affiliations, should work collectively for the protection of the Constitution and national integrity, he said.

Mr. Madhav also urged youth not to rely on unverified information circulating on social media platforms and instead trust official sources of information. He criticised certain Opposition parties for allegedly placing political interests above national priorities.

Calling for responsible use of resources, he said people should reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and limit avoidable foreign travel, while drawing inspiration from what he described as the Prime Minister’s own efforts towards austerity.

He concluded by urging citizens to unite with the spirit of “nation before politics” for the country’s development and security.

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a leading State in the country in the digitisation of patient health records under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), outpacing neighbouring States across multiple key parameters of the Next Generation e-Hospital Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), according to senior officials of the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

VIJAYAWADA, May 12: Andhra Pradesh BJP State president PVN Madhav on Monday extended warm birthday greetings to Telugu Desam Party State president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, commending his unwavering commitment to public welfare and effective leadership.

In a message conveying his wishes, Mr. Madhav praised Mr. Srinivasa Rao for his dedicated service to the people and his ability to lead with purpose and vision. He noted that Mr. Srinivasa Rao had distinguished himself in public life by remaining closely connected with the people, serving as a source of inspiration to party workers and grassroots functionaries alike.

Mr. Madhav expressed his hope that Mr. Srinivasa Rao would go on to achieve greater milestones in public service, and offered prayers for his good health, happiness, and long life.

The BJP State president also conveyed his wish that Mr. Srinivasa Rao play an increasingly pivotal role in the development of Andhra Pradesh and in addressing the problems faced by the people of the State.

The birthday greetings from the BJP chief are being seen as a reflection of the cordial ties between the two NDA alliance partners in the State.

VIJAYAWADA, May 12: BJP State spokesperson Sadineni Yamini Sharma on Monday issued a sharp warning to the YSR Congress Party, cautioning that remarks crossing the line of decency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Reacting strongly to comments made by YSRCP leader Perni Nani, Ms. Sharma demanded an immediate and unconditional retraction, urging the opposition leader to exercise restraint in his public utterances.

"A party whose leadership spent years governing from behind curtains and staged elaborate sets in place of functional secretariats has no moral authority to level criticism against the Prime Minister," she said, describing such attacks as both ironic and laughable.

Ms. Sharma contended that Mr. Modi had dedicated the past eleven years to tireless public service without drawing upon government funds for personal expenditure, and that YSRCP, with its record in office, was in no position to question his integrity.

Turning her attack on the previous YSRCP dispensation in Andhra Pradesh, she alleged that its leadership had routinely deployed dedicated helicopters even for distances of a kilometre, squandering public money, while simultaneously constructing palatial residences worth hundreds of crores in multiple cities. "Those who built palaces with public money ought to answer for their own conduct before speaking of public service," she said.

The BJP spokesperson further alleged that during the YSRCP government's tenure, citizens were subjected to prolonged hardships, hundreds of trees were felled, and State funds were diverted to paint party offices — transgressions that, she asserted, the people of Andhra Pradesh had not forgotten.

Concluding her remarks, Ms. Sharma said the Prime Minister's life stood as a testament to selfless service, and that it was this quality which had endeared him to the people of the country. She cautioned that YSRCP leaders were making reckless statements without even a basic understanding of the security protocols surrounding the office of the Prime Minister.

AMARAVATI, May 12:The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday strongly condemned former minister and YSRCP leader Perni Nani for making what it described as derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the party's Andhra Pradesh state chief spokesperson Valluru Jayaprakash Narayana demanding an unconditional public apology.

Addressing the media , Jayaprakash Narayana said it was deeply unfortunate that the YSRCP leadership had chosen to respond to the Prime Minister's counsel on financial discipline, savings, and responsible living with personal attacks. "The Prime Minister's advice to citizens on building economic security for the future reflects a national leader's sense of responsibility. Reducing such guidance to political ridicule is both unwarranted and unbecoming," he said.

The BJP spokesperson cited India's rise as the world's fifth largest economy under Modi's leadership, pointing to the digital revolution, transparent governance, infrastructural growth, and enhanced global economic credibility as evidence of the government's track record. "These are not claims — these are realities that every Indian citizen is witnessing firsthand," he added.

Turning his attention to the YSRCP, Jayaprakash Narayana said the party had a consistent pattern of viewing every issue through a narrow political lens. "Perni Nani's remarks reflect political bankruptcy, not responsible engagement with public concerns. This is the hallmark of a party driven by frustration and irrelevance," he said.

The BJP leader made it clear that making disparaging remarks against the office of the Prime Minister was contrary to the norms of democratic culture and called upon Perni Nani to immediately withdraw his comments and exercise greater restraint. He warned that should the apology not be forthcoming, BJP cadres would stage protests outside Perni Nani's residence.

Jayaprakash Narayana also reminded voters that the people of Andhra Pradesh had already delivered a decisive democratic verdict against the YSRCP's "anarchic, destructive and corrupt politics," which he said had caused lasting damage to the state. "The people have spoken clearly. They rejected a political culture that set back Andhra Pradesh's development," he observed.

Concluding his remarks, the BJP spokesperson said that what ultimately matters is not who offers an idea, but how much it benefits the nation. "The politics of cynical criticism has run its course. People today are rallying behind leadership that offers vision, development and national purpose," he said.

VIJAYAWADA, May 12: Bharatiya Janata Party SC Morcha state president Panatala Suresh on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks made by former minister Perni Nani against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an unconditional public apology from YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and warning that the party's continued resort to ridicule politics would cost it dearly in future elections.

Speaking to the media, Suresh said that Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Telangana had been devoted to launching development schemes worth thousands of crores of rupees, carrying a clear message of inclusive national progress. He noted that the Prime Minister's counsel to citizens on reducing cooking oil consumption, conserving petrol and controlling pollution had struck a chord with the public.

"Sarcasm Politics" Condemned

Suresh accused YSRCP leaders of deliberately sidestepping substantive development discourse in favour of mockery and personal attacks. He specifically took strong exception to the remarks directed at the Prime Minister by Perni Nani, alleging that leaders who had lost public standing were resorting to such statements purely for publicity.

He challenged Jagan Mohan Reddy to hold a press conference and criticise the Prime Minister's policies directly, rather than doing so through proxies. "If you have the conviction, face the media and make your case," he said.

From Chaiwala to National Leader

Suresh drew a pointed contrast between Prime Minister Modi, who he described as a leader who rose from humble origins as a tea seller to understand the struggles of ordinary citizens, and those who entered politics through dynastic privilege. Perni Nani, he said, must immediately retract his remarks and tender an apology or face the consequences of public opinion.

Centre's Largesse to AP Cited

Suresh also highlighted the central government's allocation of lakhs of crores of rupees for the development of Andhra Pradesh and Amaravati, arguing that YSRCP's sarcastic posturing was a disservice to a state that stood to benefit enormously from the BJP-led government at the Centre. He warned that if the party persisted with such an approach, it risked failing to win even 11 seats in the forthcoming elections.

TULLLUR (GUNTUR): Construction of the long-awaited capital city of Amaravati is progressing at a brisk pace, with the MLA and MLC residential-cum-office complexes being built at Rayapudi nearing completion, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana said on Tuesday.

The Minister inspected the under-construction MLA and MLC bhavan complexes at Rayapudi in Amaravati and spoke to the media thereafter, expressing confidence that the capital city project was firmly back on track.

Neighbouring States Taking Note

Mr. Narayana said the scale and speed of construction activity in Amaravati had begun to attract attention and admiration even in neighbouring states. "People across state boundaries are talking about what is happening here," he said, underlining the project's growing visibility as a symbol of the government's development agenda.

Land Pooling: Near-Complete Allocation

Providing a detailed account of the land pooling exercise, the Minister stated that 30,753 farmers had contributed 35,017 acres of land for the capital's development. Of these, plots had already been allotted against 34,525 acres, with allotments pending for only 674 farmers — translating to a completion rate of 98.06 per cent.

He attributed the pending cases to court proceedings initiated by certain farmers and to unresolved family disputes over land ownership, clarifying that the delay was not on account of any administrative failure. All allotments, he added, had been carried out transparently through a lottery system.

Political Conspiracy Alleged

Taking strong exception to what he described as a disinformation campaign, Mr. Narayana alleged that a section of people were deliberately spreading falsehoods about the capital project for political ends. "Those who claim that the government has not allotted plots despite farmers giving their lands must acquaint themselves with the facts," he said, accusing them of orchestrating a political conspiracy against Amaravati.

Handover to GAD

The Minister further stated that completed structures would be formally handed over to the General Administration Department (GAD) upon the conclusion of construction work, paving the way for their operationalisation.

The inspection was seen as part of the state government's efforts to underscore progress on the capital front ahead of the legislature session.

AMARAVATI, May 10: Andhra Pradesh has secured second place nationally in two prestigious Union government awards recognising excellence in rural development, BJP State President PVN Madhav announced on Sunday, describing the achievement as a matter of pride for every resident of the State.

The awards — the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satatva Vikas Puraskar–2025 and the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satatva Puraskar–2025 — are conferred by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj to honour outstanding contributions to sustainable village development, sanitation, and the realisation of Gram Swaraj ideals.

Mr. Madhav attributed the recognition to the sustained efforts of the NDA alliance government in the State, saying it vindicated the administration's commitment to strengthening the Panchayati Raj system at the grassroots level. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for charting a new course in rural development across the country.

The BJP State president extended his congratulations to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his visionary stewardship of the State's development agenda, and to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for his effective management of the Panchayati Raj portfolio.

Special felicitations were conveyed to the sarpanches, elected representatives, administrative officials, and residents of the four gram panchayats that earned the awards — Shringavaram, Bokkasampalem, Chemullappalli, and Gundamala. Mr. Madhav expressed hope that the State would continue to advance further in achieving the goals of rural development, sanitation, and sustainable growth.

"This national recognition is a testament to what the NDA government has been able to accomplish in a short span of time by keeping villages and their people at the centre of governance," he said.

AMARAVATI, May 10: BJP State President PVN Madhav on Sunday demanded immediate disciplinary action against a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who allegedly assaulted the party's Kadapa district president during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, calling on the Director General of Police (DGP) to take prompt action against the erring officer.

Mr. Madhav said the DSP should be suspended forthwith, and brought the matter to the attention of the State government.

The incident occurred at Almasapeta Centre in Kadapa city, where BJP and SC Morcha leaders were reportedly attacked by a group of miscreants who tore down decorative arches and flags erected for the Hanuman Jayanti festivities. When police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the aggressors, the Kadapa district BJP president intervened to appeal for restraint and urged the police not to use force against the locals — at which point the DSP allegedly assaulted him physically.

"When a democratically elected party leader steps forward to restore peace and appeals to police to exercise restraint, it is deeply condemnable that a senior officer would raise his hand against him," Mr. Madhav said, terming the officer's conduct as "grossly unacceptable."

The BJP State president also observed that the incident was particularly unfortunate given that it unfolded during a period of widespread Hanuman Jayanti processions and bike rallies being conducted peacefully across Andhra Pradesh. He stressed that the sentiments of devotees must be protected and that incidents of this nature should not be allowed to recur.

Mr. Madhav called on the police department to direct its action against those who had carried out the original attack on the Hanuman Jayanti decorations, rather than against those who were conducting peaceful religious programmes. He reminded the law enforcement machinery that maintaining law and order was its primary obligation.

"The double engine government has been working to accelerate development and welfare programmes, and public trust in the administration is growing," he said, adding that such incidents of police high-handedness risked eroding that goodwill.

The BJP has demanded that the DGP register a departmental case against the DSP and initiate action under the relevant provisions governing police conduct.