Andhra Pradesh, India

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has unveiled the manifesto for his YSRCP (Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party) political party in the state for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. 

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This time, the party that has gained prominence in Andhra Pradesh politics by winning both state assembly and parliamentary seats in elections, is promising to elevate welfare pensions and relocate the state's executive capital to Visakhapatnam or Vizag, a major city known for its picturesque beaches and thriving industrial sector. 

The chief minister outlined plans to incrementally increase welfare pensions, currently at ₹3,000 per month, to ₹3,500 by January 2029, with an initial rise to ₹3,250 in 2028.

"Immediately after YSRCP forms the government in 2024, Visakhapatnam will be made the executive capital as the seat of the government. It will be developed as the growth engine for the state," Reddy stated during a press conference. He also affirmed Amaravati's role as the legislative capital and vowed to designate Kurnool as the judicial capital.

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Maintaining continuity with existing schemes, Reddy announced enhancements to programs like Amma Vodi. The Amma Vodi scheme is part of the government's efforts to promote education and reduce the dropout rate among school children, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

By providing financial support directly to mothers or guardians, the scheme's motto is to alleviate financial barriers to education and encourage parents to prioritise their children's schooling.

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The party is promising increment in its allocation from ₹15,000 to ₹17,000 annually. 

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Elections for the Assembly and Lok Sabha are scheduled for May 13 in Andhra Pradesh, with Reddy filing his nomination for the Pulivendula assembly seat.

YSRCP is contesting all 25 parliamentary seats, challenging the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the NDA, consisting of the BJP, Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena Party (JSP), and TDP led by former CM N Chandrababu Naidu. 

In the 2019 elections, YSRCP clinched a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh, securing 22 of 25 parliamentary seats with a vote share of 49.89 percent. TDP managed only three seats, while the BJP and Congress failed to secure any. YSRCP also dominated the state Assembly by bagging 151 of 175 seats which led to the downfall of the TDP government.

(With inputs from agencies)