Jagan: That’s Why I Avoided Visiting Flood-Hit Areas

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy confined himself to making an aerial survey even as floods caused by cyclone-induced rains battered his native Kadapa and neighbouring Chittoor districts.

The victims and general public fumed at the CM for not visiting the flood-hit areas even as many of them are struggling the clear the floodwaters and clean their houses. The opposition parties also slammed the CM for taking stock of the situation by interacting with the victims in the affected areas.

Netizens trolled Jagan for not giving a hoot to the flood victims even as 71-year-old TDP chief and Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu was touring the flood-affected setting aside the threat of Covid-19 and other infections he was vulnerable to in the areas.

In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, CM Stalin also personally monitored the relief and rehabilitation works by touring the flood-hit areas wearing a raincoat and issuing directions to the officials. This led to much annoyance against Jagan among the public.

Probably, having learnt of the trolling, Jagan tried to defend himself for his act in the Assembly. Explaining the reasons behind restraining from the ground survey of the flood-hit areas, Jagan said that the officials told him his visit would obstruct the relief and rehabilitation works. Following the advice of some senior officials in the administration wing who have decades of experience, Jagan said that he felt it was true that the officials would stop the relief works and focus on attending to him at the place, if he reached the area. “Is my tour in the area important or continuing with the relief works,” he asked.

Further, he cited the example of neighbouring Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and asked if the victims ever saw him in the flood-affected areas even when the state is hit by cyclones every year.

Jagan said that ministers and MLAs were monitoring the relief works in the affected areas and once the water-level subsided, he would visit the places and personally interact with the victims to enquire if they had got the aid on time.

Responding to this reply, a few victims criticized Jagan for lacking basic knowledge that the CM’s presence would expedite the relief works but not hinder the process.