Date: January 30, 2025
YCP’s Button Nokkudu Phobia: A Response to Chandrababu
YCP Still Struggling with ‘Button Nokkudu’ Phobia?
Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape continues to heat up as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu sharply critiques the fiscal mismanagement under the leadership of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Naidu has highlighted how Jagan’s earlier tenure plunged the state into an extreme debt situation, leaving it unable to secure additional borrowing or funds. These financial struggles have had lasting effects on the state, and Naidu’s statements have placed the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YCP) on the defensive on Struggling with ‘Button Nokkudu’ Phobia.
Chandrababu Naidu’s Criticism of Jagan’s Fiscal Management
Naidu, who has long been a political rival of Jagan Mohan Reddy, emphasized how the YCP-led government mismanaged the state’s finances. The debt situation, he argues, is one of the main reasons Andhra Pradesh struggles to recover economically. Naidu claims that the current government’s handling of fiscal issues has exacerbated the state’s financial crisis. This has led to a situation where the state is unable to secure additional loans or funding to improve its economic standing.
YCP’s Response to Chandrababu Naidu’s Critique
In response to Naidu’s statements, YCP spokesperson Pothina Mahesh has emerged as one of the key defenders of the government. Mahesh, who previously aligned with Janasena but left after failing to secure an MLA ticket, offered a strong defense of Jagan’s tenure.
Mahesh accused Chandrababu Naidu of misleading the people, particularly for going back on his Super Six promises. Before the election, Naidu had pledged to generate revenue and implement these promises. However, Mahesh claims that after securing power, Naidu not only ignored the promises but also openly admitted that he was no longer interested in fulfilling them. According to Mahesh, Naidu should be held accountable for these broken promises, and even Pawan Kalyan, who was part of the pre-election alliance, must take responsibility for Naidu’s failure to implement these promises.
The Button Nokkudu Debate: Jagan’s Legacy and YCP’s Response
Mahesh took the debate a step further by invoking Jagan Mohan Reddy’s controversial legacy of “Button Nokkudu.” During his tenure, Jagan allegedly pressed the button 135 times, which he claims led to direct cash transfers to the accounts of ordinary citizens. Mahesh used this point to criticize Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, urging them to follow in Jagan’s footsteps.
In his Telugu statement, Mahesh said, “Chandrababu, Pawan Kalyan garu kuda button nokkadam nerchukovali” — meaning that they too should learn how to press the button and provide financial relief to the people. Mahesh’s comments seem to suggest that YCP leaders still haunted by the “Button Nokkudu” narrative, which has left an impression on Andhra politics.
The Fiscal Reality: NITI Aayog’s Report
On one side of the political spectrum, the NITI Aayog Committee has reported that the financial mismanagement in Andhra Pradesh has had long-lasting repercussions. The report highlights how the state’s debt levels have impacted its economic stability. On the other hand, figures like Pothina Mahesh continue to defend Jagan’s policies, despite the ongoing fiscal crisis.
In conclusion, as YCP faces criticism from opposition parties, including Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, the question remains: Can Jagan’s “Button Nokkudu” legacy help the party overcome its current challenges? Or will the fiscal mismanagement issues continue to haunt the party’s leadership?