Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice president (in-charge, administration) Kolanukonda Shivaji has strongly condemned the vandalisation of a statue of former chief minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Nandyal district by unidentified persons.

Addressing the media at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada on Monday (June 1), he urged the government to take stringent action against those responsible and ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Referring to the commencement of operations of the South Coast Railway Zone operations from June 1, with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters, Mr. Sivaji welcomed the development. However, he criticised the present governments for claiming credit for the project.

He pointed out that the South Coast Railway Zone was envisaged and incorporated in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, enacted by the Congress-led UPA government. He added that the Railway Minister and Railway Board orders acknowledge this fact, and questioned the propriety of the present governments’ claiming credit for an initiative that originated under the Congress government.

Touching upon other issues, the Congress leader said that migration from Rayalaseema has been increasing due to lack of employment opportunities. He also alleged that students are facing difficulties in obtaining educational loans, affecting their prospects for higher studies.