Choose between destruction and development, says Naidu
Jagan Mohan Reddy had initially agreed for Amaravati as the capital, but later deceived the people, leaving Andhra Pradesh without a capital, says the TDP chief at a Praja Galam rally in Bapatla
These days, a new trend seems to be growing among the morning walkers and elderly people in Vijayawada. After completing their regimen of walking and working out, they make it a point to stop by a small kiosk selling wheatgrass and ash gourd juice outside Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium.
“While the kiosk also has vegetable juices available, most of the customers ask for wheatgrass,” says Vijay Kumar (28), who owns the kiosk.
After reading about its health benefits online, Mr. Vijay Kumar, hailing from Piduguralla, came to Vijayawada to set up a stall here during the pandemic. Despite initial hiccups, the business grew so rapidly in the next two years that today, Mr. Vijay Kumar has five kiosks in total, at Undavalli, Mangalagiri, Bhavanipuram, Patamata, Bandar Road (outside IGMS) and ten people working for him.
Around 700 people, mostly morning walkers, visit his kiosks every day from 6 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. One glass of wheat grass juice is priced at ₹20.
A headmistress from Anantapur, Sasikala, who comes every week to the city to see her daughter who is studying Intermediate here, says: “For the last six months, I have been drinking the juice once a week without fail. I have read that it is good for the heart.”
But health experts have a different take. “While there is no denying that wheatgrass is rich in nutrients and vitamins, there is no scientific evidence to back this claim that it is good for the heart or digestive system,” said a health expert, requesting anonymity.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president N. Chandrababu Naidu accused Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of deliberately putting farmers in harm’s way by ignoring the Pattiseema project.
Addressing a Praja Galam public meeting in Vemuru on Friday, Mr. Naidu alleged that even the Polavaram project, which he said had neared 72% completion under the TDP regime, was neglected by the YSRCP government.
“With my experience of developing Hyderabad, I had given a call to develop
Health fad spurs sales of wheatgrass and ash gourd juice in city, but health experts remain sceptical of its benefits
Amaravati. Reposing faith in me, 29,000 farmers parted with 35,000 acres of land voluntarily. Mr. Jagan had initially agreed for
Amaravati as the capital, but later he deceived the people with his threecapitals proposal, leaving A.P. without a capital,” he said.
Mr. Naidu said it was unfortunate that the Chief Minister was still being seen in public with an MLC who was accused of murdering his Dalit driver.
The TDP chief further alleged that Mr. Jagan cancelled 27 welfare schemes meant for the uplift of Dalits.
“Voters should decide whether they want destruction or development,” Mr. Naidu said in his address, adding that the YSRCP government was responsible for flooding the State with ganja.
The TDP chief further claimed that Mr. Jagan had lost the support of the voters of his own constituency of Pulivendula.