Lavu Krishna said- Developing Palanadu region is my only agenda
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu’s resignation from YSRC and resignation as Narasaraopet Lok Sabha MP came as a surprise to many. A graduate of La Trobe University in Australia, Krishna Vignan is also the vice-president of the university. After his resignation, he joined TDP and has been re-nominated from Narasaraopet. Despite this being her electoral debut in the 2019 general elections, she won the Lok Sabha constituency by a huge margin of 1.53 lakh votes. Krishna has played an important role in the launch of various development projects in Palanadu district including the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project and the Varikapudisla Lift Irrigation Project. In an interview with Bandhavi Annam, he stressed that his agenda is to develop the region. Further, he gave the reason for leaving YSRC and said that the three-capital concept may not be possible.
You have recently joined TDP, how has the reaction been from the leaders and party cadre?
TDP leaders have welcomed me with open heart. I am really grateful for that. Rising above caste and party, I have always helped people while being an MP. Therefore, we have no problem in working together to ensure the victory of the party in the upcoming elections. Field-level cadre is the main strength of TDP. We are working in coordination to remove the weaknesses and take the party’s plans to the public.
Why did you resign from YSRC?
I did not understand the audit through which the YSRC high command decided to reshuffle the leaders. Publicly, it was said that the leadership wanted a BC leader to contest from Narasaraopet. Therefore, I was asked to contest from Guntur, which is not a strong hold of the party. After I resigned, some people said that if I had waited longer, the party would have fielded me from Narasaraopet. Both statements are contradictory. I worked very hard for the development of Palanadu and was available to the people all the time. So, I can ask the people of Palanadu to vote for me, which is not the case with Guntur because of the capital issue.
Now that you are no longer with YSRC, has your stance on the capital issue changed?
I do not think the three-capital concept is possible, especially when the High Court and administration are operating from different regions. On the other hand, I have always sympathized with the farmers of Amaravati, who gave up their lands for the capital. It is not right for any government to go back on its word because this can put people’s trust and honesty in the government at risk. Therefore the government should work in favor of the farmers.
You have been accused of being linked to the Vizag drugs case. What do you have to say about that?
I am neither a board member nor a stakeholder in any company exporting or importing the said containers. The allegations leveled against me on the basis of a photo taken nine years ago are baseless. I am not associated with this issue in any way. I will soon file a defamation case against those making such claims.
Since Palanadu is a YSRC stronghold, what are your chances of victory?
I will not arrogantly say that I will win with an overwhelming majority. I am an impartial leader who has no allegations of corruption. I have always been available for my people. So, I guess I have the advantage. My work speaks for itself. I am asking the people of Palanadu to vote for me on the basis of my work for the constituency. As a local competitor, I have a good knowledge of the needs of the people and the problems they face. I will work even harder in the future to solve these problems.
What are your plans for Palanadu if elected?
Since the region is facing water shortage, completing the Varikapudisela Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS), diverting Godavari water through the NSP Left Canal and providing adequate water for irrigation and drinking would be the top priority.
Apart from this, construction of 100 bedded hospitals in each assembly constituency headquarters, setting up of logistics parks, providing employment opportunities to the local people and development of infrastructure are also high on my list.
I also feel that the alliance with BJP and JSP will be beneficial in expediting the implementation of these projects as we can get more financial assistance from the central government.
