After the YSR Congress party led by former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy lost power to the Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the recent assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, allegations of corruption against several YSRCP leaders are being made by their victims in different parts of the state.
In an interesting development, followers of former health minister and YSRCP leader Vidadala Rajini from Chilakaluripet have returned kickbacks collected from farmers in the name of Jagananna Colonies.
According to the local farmers, the previous Jagan government had proposed to construct Jagananna Colony for weaker sections in 200 acres of land at Gudevaripalem near Pasumarru in Chilakaluripet mandal.
Of this extent of 200 acres of land, 50 acres of land was acquired from 32 farmers under the auspices of then Chilakaluripet MLA Vidadala Rajini. The government had paid compensation to the farmers as per the norms.
However, Rajini, through her followers, allegedly collected Rs 2-3 lakh from each farmer, as commission for releasing the compensation amount from them. In all, Rajini’s followers allegedly collected an amount to the extent of Rs 1.16 crore from farmers.
Now that there is a change in the government, the farmers lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that Rajini had collected commission from them for paying the compensation for their lands. Local TDP leaders also raised this issue with the higher authorities.
Realising that they are going to face the cases from the police, Rajini’s followers returned the entire commission of Rs 1.16 crore to the farmers. On Thursday, they paid Rs 90 lakh and the remaining amount of Rs 26 lakh on Friday to the farmers.
Earlier, Rajini got a wall constructed between Pasumarru and Chilakaluripet road to occupy the government lands. Now with the YSRCP losing power, Rajini got the wall demolished and handed over the land to the gram panchayat, sources said.
