As COVID-19 cases surge, Jagan cancels Tirupati trip, by-poll campaign

In a letter addressing the voters of Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency, the Chief Minister said he has cancelled the tour as the COVID-19 cases have been on the rise. The cases have been increasing rapidly and according to the recent health bulletin, the state reported 2,765 new infections in the last 24 hours with a positivity rate of 8.67 per cent which is higher than the national rate of 5.87 per cent.

Tirupati Parliament constituency, spread across Chittoor and Nellore districts, recorded a big spike in the past few days. Of the 2,765 positive cases, 496 cases were registered in Chittoor and 292 in Nellore districts. Out of 11 people who died of COVID-19, four are from Chittor and Nellore districts, he said in the letter.

"As the public meeting will attract huge crowds, keeping in view the health and well-being of the people and the danger of increasing cases, as a responsible Chief Minister and leader, the scheduled 14 April meeting stands cancelled," the Chief Minister said and appealed to the voters to give a mandate with increased margin and make party candidate Dr. Gurumoorthy victorious.

Jagan said he had earlier written letters to each and every family in the constituency explaining how they were benefitted by the welfare schemes being implemented by the government and urged them to vote for the "fan" symbol and elect their party candidate with a higher majority than the earlier margin.