In a recent statement, former minister RK Roja expressed her views on women’s empowerment and the current government under the leadership of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Speaking at a Women’s Day celebration held at the YSR Congress Party headquarters in Tadepalli, she emphasized that Jagan is the only leader genuinely committed to the cause of women’s advancement in politics.
Roja noted the challenges women face in achieving political success, stating that while progress is difficult, many women have thrived within the party thanks to Jagan’s encouragement. She highlighted the event’s significance by mentioning the presence of various female leaders, including Varudu Kalyani and Rayana Bhagyalakshmi, who participated in cake-cutting ceremonies to mark the occasion.
During her address, Roja reflected on her own political journey, acknowledging Jagan’s role in her election as an MLA twice and his support in her appointment as a minister. She praised Jagan for providing opportunities to hard-working and talented individuals, asserting that every woman should strive to grow as a powerful entity. She called for teamwork to ensure Jagan’s continued leadership as Chief Minister.
However, Roja was critical of the current state of governance, declaring that a “Narakasura” regime is prevailing in the state. She accused the government of failing to provide adequate protection for women, criticizing Home Minister Anitha for neglecting her duties in favor of entertainment. She questioned what benefits Anitha and two other ministers have provided to women, declaring that they are unworthy of celebrating Women’s Day.
Roja lamented the dire situation where women who report injustices are often met with legal repercussions instead of support. She praised Jagan for his inclusive approach, stating that he has worked for the welfare of all, regardless of caste, religion, or political affiliation. In sharp contrast, she accused N. Chandrababu Naidu of divisive politics, claiming he promotes discord among communities.
Furthermore, she criticized actor and politician Pawan Kalyan, implying that his political maneuvers, including exploiting the grief of a mother named Sugali Preeti, were opportunistic. She questioned Kalyan’s effectiveness in addressing the concerns of women, particularly recalling his failure to bring back the thirty thousand women he claimed were missing in the past twenty months.
Roja concluded her remarks by reaffirming that the good work done by their party has earned them the respect of the people. She pointed out that coalition leaders struggle to connect with grassroots communities, and she dismissed media speculation about Naidu’s potential return to power, suggesting that it is nothing more than sensationalism. With a firm stance, she declared that there is no fault in holding B.R. Naidu accountable, emphasizing that arrogance is his defining trait.
