MANGALAGIRI: Taking a dig at YS Jagan, IT and PR minister Nara Lokesh has appealed people not to give scope for the criminals to rule the state. He said that he had strong belief that people will never encourage the criminal elements in the public life. He said that Jagan, who himself declared 31 cases pending against him, is shamelessly seeking one opportunity to rule the state.Lokesh visited several villages as part of the campaign in Mangalagiri constituency on Sunday. Addressing a meeting at Revendrapadu village, Lokesh said that chief minister Chandrababu Naidu had kept all the promises made before the last elections in spite beginning the journey in the new state with Rs 16000 crore deficit.He said that Rs 2000 pension was not being implemented even in the rich state of Telangana . He said that no state government had granted Rs 20000 financial assistance to the women members of self-help groups in two spells. He explained that Chandrababu Naidu government is implementing 120 welfare schemes despite facing severe financial crunch post bifurcation. He said that AP is the only state in the country to provide 24x7 power supply even during the peak summer. He said that the government had already sanctioned Rs.11 crore for the construction of bridge on main canal in Revendrepadu village and works would be launched soon after the polls. He said that he would take initiative to implement special incentive to the farmers of jowar after the elections. He had also promised to clear land for construction of Idgah in Mangalagiri town for muslims.Lokesh promised to resolve the irrigation water issue as he came to know about it only during the campaign. He said that farmers could not get water due to the ill-functioning of head water works. He said that they would also complete the lift irrigation scheme recently granted by the government. “We will complete the lift irrigation scheme and release water right from August,” said Lokesh.He alleged that Jagan had mortgaged the Telugu pride to KCR just for the sake of Rs 1000 crore. He said that they would not allow KCR to dictate terms to the people of AP with the help of Jagan. He dared KCR to come to AP and contest the elections if he wanted to have say in AP politics. Party leaders Ganji Chiranjeevi , former minister Murugudu Hanumantha Rao were also present.An elderly man Shaik Maulali donated Rs 2000 to Lokesh as a mark of gratitude for granting welfare pension.

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