APCC president Y.S. Sharmila on Tuesday said that the Congress party alone could protect the Constitution and restore development in Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at a programme organised in Vijayawada to admit district and mandal-level leaders from the YSRCP and TDP into the Congress fold, Ms. Sharmila said the programme reflected the growing faith in the Congress ideology and the legacy of the former Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

She alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy failed to fight for Special Category Status, Polavaram and other promises made under the Reorganisation Act. Promises worth nearly ₹5 lakh crore, including Kadapa Steel Plant, Dugarajapatnam Port and metro rail projects, remained unfulfilled, she alleged.

She also attacked the State government over rising fuel prices, alleging that excessive VAT and cess had made petrol prices in Andhra Pradesh among the highest in the country.

AICC secretary and AP affairs in-charge Ganesh Kumar Yadav called upon the southern states to ensure a “BJP-mukt South India.”

CWC member M.M. Pallam Raju accused the BJP at the Centre of weakening democratic institutions in the country. CWC members G. Rudra Raju, N. Raghuveera Reddy and others spoke.