Interview| TDP did nothing for growth of Rajamahendravaram: YSRCP MLA candidate Margani Bharat

Rajamahendravaram: Margani Bharat, current YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP from Rajamahendravaram is the MLA candidate from the constituency for the upcoming AP State Assembly elections.

In a free-wheeling interview with NewsMeter, Bharat laid out his goals for the development of the constituency, which includes advocating for projects such as the construction of a flyover near Morampudi junction, beautification of the city railway station, and the Rajahmundry Airport. He recently courted controversy when he distributed 25,000 house titles to beneficiaries. Before entering politics, Bharat acted in a Telugu film ‘Oye Ninne’ in 2017.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Bharat contested from Rajamahendravaram and became an MP by defeating TDP candidate Maganti Rupa with a majority of 1.21 lakh votes. Speaking to NewsMeter, the actor-turned-politician shared his vision for the development of Rajamahendravaram city on all fronts.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Is there any reason for you to contest as an MLA from Rajamahendravaram instead of an MP?

Bharath: It is clear that even after decades Rajamahendravaram remains undeveloped when compared to other cosmopolitan cities. The city has a lot of legacy and is considered the cultural capital of both Telugu-speaking states. But it is unclear what the people’s representatives have done in the last three decades.

This is connected to why I am contesting as an MLA instead of an MP. Under MP Murali Mohan (2014-19) and MLA Adireddy Bhavani from 2019, no development has taken place. They haven’t initiated a single development programme. So, I have decided to take charge of the leadership.

Even though they are also making corruption charges against me, I am openly challenging them to prove it. I am ready to leave Rajahmundry and will leave politics if proven guilty.

Q: What are the issues faced by the people of Rajamahendravaram? What is your vision to develop the city as an MLA?

Bharath: There are a lot of issues. Rajamahendravaram is called a big village, not even a town or a city. It has the characteristics of a great city and lots of legacy. Almost 1,000 years ago, the great Raja Raja Narendra ruled the Rajamahendravaram city but the same glory did not continue. I assure people that I am going to bring back that glory to the region.

Q: Can you identify some of your development works as an MP in Rajamahendravaram?

Bharat: What I have done as an MP for Rajamahendravaram includes the plan for the construction of a 1.42 km long flyover near Morampudi junction on the highway at Rs 56.09 crores. This will help people from Rajamahendravaram to Hukumpeta, Bommuru, Punyakshetram, Namavaram, Kesavaram, and the Gadalamma vegetable market.

Another important development project was the renovation of Kambala Cheruvu, spread over 10 acres, which will act as a leisure space for the residents. We have also initiated a 15-ft Gandhi statue to mark salt satyagraha (Dandi March), beautification of Rajamahendravaram city railway station with an estimated cost of Rs 269 crores, and beautification and landscaping works at several public parks.

Q: How would you address the unemployment issue in Rajamahendravaram?

Bharat: The constituency has around 3.50 lakh residents. Among them, 32 to 35 per cent of youth varies from 18 to 35 age group. With a large number of youth, there is a vast scope for the establishment of industries like paper mills and steel plants in the suburbs of Rajamahendravaram. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has already come up with a slogan ‘Son of the Soil’, where the aim is to provide employment opportunities to 80 per cent of the local youth.

Q: What is the strategy against your opponents for the elections?

Bharath: I don’t even think Adireddy Vasu is my opponent. Even though his family was in power for 16 years in Rajamahendravaram, no one knows what they have done for the region. My plan is to showcase the development I have done in the last two years and if people are happy with me then they will vote for me.