August 6, 2025

In a recent statement, Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, a prominent leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and former Finance Minister, publicly criticized the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. He accused them of spreading misleading narratives regarding the growth of the state's Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues. Reddy's remarks come in response to claims about the GST revenue increase reported in July 2025, which, according to him, have been misrepresented as a hallmark of the current administration's success. He elaborated that the claimed 14% growth in GST income should not be attributed to enhanced governance or effective fiscal policies. Instead, he indicated that this growth is largely a result of exceptionally low collections that occurred in July 2024. "The TDP government is manipulating comparative statistics to create a misleading narrative of economic advancement," said Reddy. He explained the situation by noting that the downturn in GST revenue during the early months of the current TDP administration created an artificially low base effect, thereby inflating the current numbers. To provide evidence for his claims, the YSRCP leader presented specific financial figures. He highlighted that the net GST revenue in July 2023 was recorded at ₹2,755 crore, whereas the July 2025 figure stands at ₹2,930 crore, marking only a modest 6.3% increase over two years. This growth rate equates to an average annual growth of just 3.13%. Furthermore, he pointed out that the gross GST revenue showed an even smaller increase of 2.88% during the same period. Reddy lamented the tendency of the TDP's HRD Minister Nara Lokesh to celebrate what he termed as a significant achievement, suggesting that it showcases a lack of understanding regarding economic indicators. He contended that if the state's economy was genuinely growing at the rates claimed by the TDP government, GST collections would reflect that growth accurately. Additionally, Mr. Rajendranath Reddy asserted that while Andhra Pradesh's GST revenue trends might seem favorable compared to other southern states, the reality is not as positive. He claimed that the current uptick in revenue should be viewed as a bounce-back from last year's underperformance, rather than a result of effective policy initiatives from the ruling government. Reddy did not shy away from expressing his strong criticisms toward the fiscal policies adopted by the TDP coalition, condemning them as flawed and ineffective. He stated that these policies led to a significant decline in GST collections in 2024. The YSRCP leader strongly cautioned against using comparisons of current figures with the low benchmarks of the previous year, labeling such practices as misleading and an oversimplification of complex economic conditions. "Instead of seizing responsibility and rectifying their policy missteps, the coalition leaders are attempting to forge a false narrative by picking low-performance metrics for comparison. Such a strategy is neither credible nor sustainable for long-term growth," he remarked. In an appeal for accountability and responsible governance, Reddy urged the current TDP government to shift its focus away from superficial publicity efforts and instead prioritize enhancing investment, generating employment opportunities, and improving economic infrastructure. These steps are essential to genuinely stabilize and progress the state’s economy. The implications of these criticisms indicate a growing division in Andhra Pradesh politics, highlighting contrasting perspectives on economic performance and governance strategies as the state navigates its financial future.

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Tags: Buggana rajendranath reddy, Ysr congress party, Tdp, Gst revenue, Andhra pradesh,