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: 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.

SRIKAKULAM, May 6: BJP Andhra Pradesh State President PVN Madhav said on Tuesday that the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan — 2026, the party's state-wide training initiative, was aimed at transforming every worker from the polling booth level upwards into a capable and committed leader.

Madhav was speaking as the chief guest at a district-level training workshop held in Srikakulam as part of the campaign, which is being conducted across Andhra Pradesh. Addressing party leaders and workers, he elaborated on the party's founding principles, the philosophy of cultural nationalism, and the Antyodaya doctrine — the ideological commitment to the welfare of the last person in society.

"Workers are the primary strength of the party," he said. "Every worker must deeply understand the party's ideology and carry it to the people. Discipline, a spirit of service, and commitment are essential for the party's expansion from the village level to the national level."

Deendayal Upadhyaya's philosophy as guiding framework

Madhav invoked the teachings of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, observing that his vision of Antyodaya — upliftment of the weakest sections of society — remained the guiding framework for the party's work. He called upon workers to remain attentive to the problems faced by ordinary citizens and to stay committed to resolving them.

The training programme, he explained, was designed not merely to impart organisational skills but to cultivate leadership qualities among workers and build their capacity to face future challenges effectively.

Structured training across the state

The Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan has been structured to cover workers at multiple levels of the party hierarchy, with workshops being conducted district by district across the state. The Srikakulam session was attended by district party leaders, training coordinators, and a large number of workers who participated in sessions covering both ideological and organisational themes.

The campaign reflects the BJP's broader effort to consolidate its organisational base in Andhra Pradesh by investing in the capacity of its ground-level workforce ahead of future electoral contests.

VIJAYAWADA, May 6: BJP Andhra Pradesh State President PVN Madhav on Tuesday directed party functionaries and officials to respond promptly to public grievances received through the Jana Varadhi programme and ensure their resolution without delay.

Madhav was addressing a review meeting of the Jana Varadhi initiative held at the BJP State Party Office in Vijayawada, where he participated as the chief guest. The meeting brought together party leaders, Jana Varadhi coordinators, and district representatives from across the state to assess the progress of the grievance redressal programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Madhav said that Jana Varadhi had emerged as a direct channel through which citizens could bring their problems to the party's attention. He emphasised that every petition received through the programme must be duly registered and treated as a priority, with resolution to be pursued through coordinated engagement with the relevant government departments.

"There should be no delay in addressing the grievances of the people," he said. "Officials and party representatives must work in coordination and ensure that each complaint is resolved within a defined timeframe."

Jana Varadhi as a platform for governance outreach

Madhav further observed that Jana Varadhi served a dual purpose — not only as a mechanism for grievance redressal, but also as a platform for creating awareness among citizens about government schemes and welfare programmes. He called upon party workers to use the initiative to identify local problems proactively and resolve them before they escalated.

The meeting witnessed extensive discussion on a range of petitions received through Jana Varadhi, following which an action plan was drawn up for their systematic resolution. District-wise reports were presented by Jana Varadhi coordinators, detailing the nature and volume of grievances received from their respective regions.

Wide representation at the review

The meeting was attended by senior state party leaders, heads of various party wings, and district-level representatives, reflecting the organisational importance the BJP has accorded to the Jana Varadhi programme as an instrument of public connect ahead of the coming political season.

Officials were directed to maintain a structured follow-up mechanism to ensure that petitions did not remain pending beyond the stipulated period, and that citizens received timely communication regarding the status of their complaints.

Amaravati, April 13: BJP State President P.V.N. Madhav on Monday expressed serious concern over the state of welfare hostels across Andhra Pradesh and urged the State government to take immediate corrective measures, calling for sweeping reforms to be undertaken during the summer vacation period.

Mr. Madhav made the remarks following a series of visits to SC, ST, and BC student welfare hostels as part of the party's ongoing "Janata Varadhi" outreach programme, during which he inspected both pre-matric and post-matric hostels and held detailed discussions with students, wardens, and staff. Based on complaints received through the programme, BJP district presidents submitted formal representations to collectorate offices across the State.

Acknowledging certain positive steps taken by the government, the BJP State president commended the acceleration in the clearance of diet bill payments, the release of cosmetic allowances, and a perceptible improvement in food quality, noting that these measures had gone some way toward restoring student confidence.

However, Mr. Madhav said several serious concerns persisted. He pointed to dilapidated buildings, acute shortage of drinking water, poor sanitation, inadequate nutrition, lack of medical facilities, and absence of academic support as problems that continued to afflict hostels across the State. Particularly troubling, he added, was the atmosphere of fear that prevailed in certain hostels, where students were reluctant to voice their grievances.

A reform agenda for the summer

Urging the government to treat the summer recess as an opportunity for comprehensive institutional reform, Mr. Madhav put forward a detailed set of recommendations. These included conducting parent-teacher meetings at hostel level, establishing a formal grievance redressal system for students, carrying out infrastructure audits, rebuilding structurally unsafe buildings, revising diet charges upward, installing RO water purification plants, setting up dedicated sanitation monitoring teams, and appointing tutors along with providing digital learning facilities.

On the question of safety and transparency, he called for the installation of CCTV cameras in all hostels, the appointment of women wardens exclusively for girls' hostels, the routing of all bill payments through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism to ensure accountability, and the creation of a toll-free helpline for student complaints. He also recommended monthly medical check-ups and regular open meetings between hostel authorities and students.

More than just accommodation

Striking a broader note, Mr. Madhav said welfare hostels were not merely residential facilities but institutions that shaped the futures of children from marginalised communities. "It is the government's responsibility to ensure that every student feels a sense of pride in their hostel," he said.

He urged the administration to designate this summer as a "season of reforms" and to take prompt action that would rebuild student trust in government institutions.

Amaravati, April 13: Andhra Pradesh State Health Minister Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Monday hailed the inauguration of two Quantum Reference Facilities in Amaravati as a historic milestone, describing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's initiative to establish the capital city as a Quantum Valley as a defining moment not only for Andhra Pradesh but for the country as a whole.

In a statement issued here, the Minister said the launch of two quantum beds by the Chief Minister on Tuesday would herald a new chapter in indigenous scientific capability and place Amaravati firmly on the global technology map. "The pace at which this has been achieved was beyond anyone's expectations," Mr. Satyakumar observed, commending the Chief Minister's resolve and unwavering commitment to the vision.

The Minister elaborated on the transformative potential of quantum computing across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on healthcare. He noted that the technology would significantly advance medical research, enable deeper analysis of the origins and progression of diseases, and accelerate the discovery of new drugs. "This is a revolutionary development that will bring about far-reaching changes across several fields," he said.

Mr. Satyakumar credited the achievement entirely to the Chief Minister's vision and sustained effort, noting that Andhra Pradesh had become the first State in the country to reach this milestone. He also conveyed his gratitude to the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with various institutions and scientists, for their cooperation and support in realising this goal. "Tuesday is a day every Telugu person can take pride in," the Minister added.

Sharp attack on Jagan Reddy

Turning to the political situation in the State, Andhra Pradesh State Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of pursuing a deliberate strategy to obstruct and undermine the progress of Amaravati's development.

The Minister recalled that Mr. Jagan Reddy had himself declared before the Assembly that Amaravati was the State capital, only to subsequently float the contentious three-capital proposal. He said the former Chief Minister's recent advocacy of a "Mavigan" formulation — referencing the cities of Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, and Guntur — was incoherent and reflected a disturbed political disposition. "Even as the public has rejected these arguments, the former Chief Minister shows no sign of introspection. This is a curse the State has had to endure," Mr. Satyakumar said.

The Minister questioned the relevance of Mr. Jagan Reddy's sudden discovery of the three cities twelve years after the State's formation, calling it farcical. He also took strong exception to the former Chief Minister raising questions about the cost of construction materials for Amaravati, while having spent Rs. 500 crore of public money to build a private residence in Visakhapatnam. "Such conduct is thoroughly unbecoming," he said.

A word of caution for the public

Concluding his statement, Mr. Satyakumar urged the people of the State to remain vigilant and carefully observe the unfolding developments. He called on them to recognise the stark contrast between the Chief Minister's constructive efforts toward the State's development and what he described as the former Chief Minister's relentless campaign of disruption, and to exercise discernment in assessing the two.

PVN Madhav calls statements inflammatory, says they have no place in responsible politics

VIJAYAWADA: Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh president PVN Madhav on Sunday strongly condemned remarks made by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, asserting that statements designed to inflame communal tensions would not be accepted by any section of society.

Mr. Madhav said it was deeply objectionable for any leader to speak with the intent of targeting and destroying a particular community. He demanded that Mr. Kharge issue an immediate and unconditional public apology, and called upon the government to register a case and arrest him for making such remarks. Such statements, he said, had no place in political discourse.

The BJP State president said that at a time when the party was committed to the inclusive philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', remarks aimed at driving a wedge between Hindu and Muslim communities deserved the strongest condemnation.

Mr. Madhav also took strong exception to the allegations levelled against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, describing it as an organisation that had consistently promoted national unity and patriotism. He recalled numerous instances where RSS volunteers had worked alongside the police and the armed forces during natural disasters, rendering relief and rehabilitation services. Targeting such an organisation to provoke public sentiment was unethical, he said, adding that Mr. Kharge's remarks represented a new low in political conduct.

• BJP to hold scooter rallies, signature drives and missed call campaigns ahead of special Parliament session
• State president says reservations to kick in after delimitation; alliance partners to join outreach
• Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam described as historic; previous governments faulted for inaction

VIJAYAWADA: Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh president PVN Madhav on Sunday announced that the party would undertake a series of state-wide programmes in support of the Women's Reservation Bill, formally known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. He was addressing a press conference at the party's state office in Vijayawada.

Mr. Madhav described the legislation as a landmark decision in the country's history and a crucial step towards women's empowerment. He said it was a matter of pride that the Bill had received near-unanimous support in both Houses of Parliament under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and criticised previous governments for having failed to translate similar intentions into legislation despite repeated attempts.

He stated that the party had set its sights on ensuring full implementation of women's reservations by the 2029 elections, following the completion of the census and the delimitation of constituencies. He added that necessary amendments would be taken up during the special session of Parliament scheduled for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of this month.

Outlining the outreach initiatives planned in support of the Bill, Mr. Madhav said the party would organise women's rallies, public meetings, and scooter rallies across the State. Wall writing, signature collection drives, and missed call campaigns would also be conducted to mobilise public support. He added that these programmes would be carried out in coordination with alliance parties.

BJP Mahila Morcha State president Nishidha Raju said that providing one-third representation to women in Parliament was a matter of honour. She noted that the Central government was implementing several welfare schemes aimed at women's empowerment, including Mudra, Poshan, Anganwadi, and vaccination programmes.

The press conference was attended by BJP State General Secretary Saligrama Lakshmi Prasanna, State Secretaries Boddu Nagalakshmi, Kambhampati Madhavi, K. Padmaja, N. Lakshmi Durga, CH Shivalалита, and D. Swathi Rao, among others.

Andhra Pradesh unit calls comments "incendiary," accuses Congress of stoking communal tension

AMARAVATI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday demanded an unconditional public apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over remarks the party described as communally provocative and unbecoming of a senior national leader.

Sheikh Baji, official spokesperson of the Andhra Pradesh unit of the BJP, said Mr. Kharge had drawn an analogy during a recent meeting in which he allegedly likened the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP to a snake obstructing a worshipper mid-namaz — suggesting they be treated accordingly. Mr. Baji said the remarks, which have since circulated widely, amounted to an incitement to violence.

"It is deeply unfortunate that the president of a national political party, who bears a responsibility to uphold the unity and integrity of this country, should resort to language that inflames communal passions."

— Sheikh Baji, BJP AP spokesperson

The BJP spokesperson further alleged that the Congress party had, over successive decades, pursued a deliberate strategy of exploiting caste and religious fault lines for electoral advantage. He accused the party of attempting to divide society along sectarian lines at a time when national cohesion demanded restraint from political leaders of all persuasions.

Mr. Baji demanded that Mr. Kharge retract the remarks without delay and apologise to the people of India. He also called upon the Congress leadership to put in place safeguards to ensure that similar statements were not repeated in future.

The Congress party had not, at the time of filing this report, issued any response to the BJP's demands.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh BJP president P.V.N. Madhav called on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum highlighting the problems faced by coastal fishermen and Home Guards in the State.

Tamil Nadu Fishermen Encroaching AP Waters

Raising the issue of illegal intrusions along the coastline, Mr. Madhav told the Chief Minister that fishermen from Tamil Nadu were regularly entering the territorial waters off Nellore, Ongole, and Bapatla, causing considerable distress to local fishing communities.

He said the intruders were arriving in speedboats, plundering marine resources, destroying the nets and boats of local fishermen, and in several instances, physically attacking them. These incidents, he warned, were creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among coastal communities and posed a serious threat to law and order in the region.

Mr. Madhav drew particular attention to a recent incident in the Juvvaladinna area of Nellore district, where local fishermen apprehended illegal boats but the concerned authorities released them without taking stringent action. He said such inaction was fuelling suspicion and demoralising those who sought to protect their livelihoods.

The BJP leader urged the government to respond without delay, take firm action against vessels entering AP waters illegally, and strengthen coastal security infrastructure along vulnerable stretches of the coastline.

Home Guards Seek Transfer Relief

Mr. Madhav also brought to the Chief Minister's attention the plight of approximately 400 Home Guards who have been posted far from their native places following the bifurcation of the State and are facing significant personal and logistical hardships as a result.

He requested the Chief Minister to initiate mutual transfer arrangements between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to enable these personnel to serve closer to their homes, and called for an early resolution to what he described as a long-pending humanitarian concern.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have received the memorandum and assured Mr. Madhav that the matters would be examined.

BJP Launches 'Mana Ooru Mana Jenda' in 16,000 Villages; QR Codes on Flag Posts to Track Development

State president PVN Madhav unveils ambitious grassroots initiative at Motadaka village in Guntur district, highlights Rs. 3 crore Central funds spent in the village alone

GUNTUR: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday launched its ambitious statewide grassroots initiative 'Mana Ooru Mana Jenda' (Our Village, Our Flag) at Motadaka village in Tadikonda mandal of Guntur district, marking the party's 47th Foundation Day with a pledge to hoist the BJP flag in all 16,000 villages across Andhra Pradesh.

State president PVN Madhav, who attended the event as chief guest under the chairmanship of Tadikonda mandal president Bandla Ashok, formally unveiled the party flag to inaugurate the programme, which was attended by district president Cherukuri Tirupati Rao and a large contingent of party leaders and workers.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Mr. Madhav announced a distinctive technological feature of the initiative — the installation of QR codes on flag posts in every village, enabling citizens to access information on Central government funds released and development works undertaken in their respective villages at the click of a button. "This will bring transparency and awareness to the doorstep of every villager," he said.

Elaborating on the Central government's developmental footprint in Motadaka village alone, Mr. Madhav said the village had received approximately Rs. 3 crore in Central funds. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs. 1.24 crore had been spent to provide tap water connections to every household, he said, adding that 685 beneficiaries had been provided 120 days of employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Construction of 174 houses was under way under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he noted.

Mr. Madhav further highlighted the effective implementation of several flagship Central schemes in the village, including toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission, health coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and nutritional support to children through Anganwadi centres. He said special measures had been taken to reduce the burden on women by ensuring tap water connectivity to every home.

Reaffirming the Central government's vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, Mr. Madhav said the double-engine government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained firmly committed to the upliftment of the poor. He called upon BJP workers to ensure that the benefits of Central schemes reached every household.

District president Cherukuri Tirupati Rao, addressing the gathering, underscored the need to strengthen the party further from the village level and said it was the responsibility of every worker to carry the Central government's welfare and development programmes to the people. He expressed confidence that the 'Mana Ooru Mana Jenda' initiative would significantly enhance the BJP's influence in rural areas.

Mandal president Bandla Ashok said it was a matter of pride that Motadaka had been chosen as the launch village for the initiative, and called upon workers to raise the BJP flag at every home while spreading awareness about Central schemes.

The meeting was attended by Kisan Morcha state president Chigurpati Kumar Swamy, SC Morcha state president Panatala Suresh, Minority Morcha state president Syed Basha, Tadikonda Agricultural Market Yard Director Ramadevi, Kisan Morcha district general secretary Manchikalapudi Gangadhara Rao, mandal general secretaries Guduru Pradeep and Javvadi Suresh, and a large number of party functionaries and workers.

'Mana Ooru Mana Jenda' Wins National Acclaim; BJP Chief Nitin Nabin Calls PVN Madhav to Congratulate

Village-level flag hoisting initiative launched in Guntur district hailed as model for grassroots party strengthening across Andhra Pradesh

GUNTUR: The Bharatiya Janata Party's statewide initiative 'Mana Ooru Mana Jenda' (Our Village, Our Flag), being implemented under the direct supervision of state president PVN Madhav, has drawn national-level appreciation, with BJP national president Nitin Nabin personally telephoning Mr. Madhav to congratulate him on the programme's launch in Andhra Pradesh.

The initiative was formally inaugurated with the unfurling of the party flag at Motadaka village in Tadikonda mandal of Guntur district, and within moments of the flag hoisting, Mr. Nabin called Mr. Madhav to convey his greetings and commend the effort.

Expressing his appreciation, the national president observed that the programme would play a pivotal role in strengthening the party from the village level upwards — a strategic priority for the organisation ahead of future electoral contests. He described the objective of hoisting the BJP flag in every village across the state as a commendable organisational endeavour, adding that 'Mana Ooru Mana Jenda' would serve as an effective vehicle for channelling the Central government's welfare schemes to the grassroots.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Madhav urged party workers to immerse themselves in village life, engage directly with people at the ground level, and explain the benefits of Central government schemes to the common citizen. He affirmed that the programme would be rolled out extensively across every village in the state, making it a sustained and wide-reaching organisational exercise.

The launch marks a significant step in the BJP's efforts to deepen its organisational footprint in Andhra Pradesh, with the party leadership signalling its intent to build a robust presence in rural areas through consistent and structured grassroots engagement.