Jagan Mohan Reddy Vows to Reverse Privatization of Medical Colleges in Andhra Pradesh, Slams TDP’s PPP Model
Tadepalli, Andhra Pradesh, September 11, 2025 – YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a fierce campaign against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s decision to develop 10 medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. In a fiery press conference on September 10 at the YSRCP office in Tadepalli, Reddy described the move as a “scam” and a betrayal of public healthcare, vowing to cancel all privatization agreements if his party returns to power. The controversy, which pits public welfare against economic efficiency, has sparked a heated political debate, with Reddy accusing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of undermining affordable medical education and healthcare access for the poor.
Background: The Shift to PPP Model
On September 4, 2025, the Andhra Pradesh state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naidu, approved the development of 10 medical colleges under the PPP model, a departure from the previous YSRCP government’s plan to establish them as fully public institutions. These colleges, located in Adoni (Kurnool), Madanapalle (Annamayya), Markapur (Prakasam), Pulivendula (Kadapa), Penugonda (West Godavari), Palakollu (West Godavari), Amalapuram (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema), Narsipatnam (Anakapalle), Bapatla, and Parvathipuram (Parvathipuram Manyam), are set to begin admissions in the 2027–28 academic year. The first phase includes draft Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and concession agreements for four colleges—Adoni, Markapur, Madanapalle, and Pulivendula—while feasibility reports for the remaining six are being finalized.
The TDP government defends the PPP model, arguing it accelerates construction, reduces financial burdens, and ensures compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh emphasized that the model retains state ownership post-construction and adds at least 150 MBBS seats per college, enhancing medical education access. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav claimed the government plans to invest ₹7,000 crore over two years to complete the colleges, contrasting this with the YSRCP’s alleged expenditure of only ₹360 crore annually.
Jagan Reddy’s Opposition and Allegations
Reddy, addressing the media on September 10, described the PPP decision as the “peak of scams,” accusing Naidu of “looting public assets” by handing over medical colleges to private players for commissions. “The medical colleges are the wealth of Andhra Pradesh. We will not let them be sold to private hands,” he declared, warning that the YSRCP would “oppose the privatization tooth and nail” and reverse all tenders if re-elected. He alleged that the TDP’s move undermines the state’s progress in medical education and healthcare, initiated during his tenure from 2019 to 2024.
During the YSRCP regime, Reddy’s government sanctioned 17 new medical colleges with a total investment of ₹8,480 crore, aiming to establish one in every parliamentary constituency. Each college was planned on 50 acres with a ₹500 crore budget, including teaching hospitals offering super-specialty services. Five colleges—in Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry, Eluru, Machilipatnam, and Nandyal—began operations in 2023–24, adding 750 MBBS seats, while five others were nearing completion by 2024. Reddy claimed these efforts increased Andhra Pradesh’s MBBS seats from 2,360 in 2019 to a projected 4,910, with half offered free and the rest at lower fees than private colleges, ensuring affordability for the poor.
Reddy accused Naidu of sabotaging this legacy, alleging that the TDP rejected additional MBBS seats offered by the central government and wrote to the NMC to block approvals for Pulivendula Medical College out of “vindictiveness.” He further criticized the government for underfunding the Aarogyasri healthcare scheme, claiming it reduced coverage from ₹25 lakh for 3,257 procedures under YSRCP to ₹2.5 lakh for 2,500 procedures, leaving dues of ₹4,000 crore to network hospitals. “Healthcare is being crippled,” Reddy said, warning that privatization would make medical education unaffordable and exclude marginalized communities.
TDP’s Defense and Counter-Claims
The TDP-led government has refuted Reddy’s allegations, calling them “false and misleading.” Tourism Minister Durgesh clarified that the PPP model does not equate to privatization, as the state retains ownership and control post-construction. He argued that the model ensures faster development and compliance with NMC standards, citing a 48% shortage of teaching staff at Pulivendula Medical College under YSRCP’s watch. Health Minister Yadav challenged Reddy to a public debate, accusing the YSRCP of poor planning and misusing central funds, which led to delays and the loss of 2,500 MBBS seats. Yadav also noted that the YSRCP set high fees—₹12 lakh for Category B and ₹20 lakh for NRI seats—questioning who truly commercialized medical education.
Chief Minister Naidu dismissed Reddy’s claims, asserting that the NDA prioritized education and established institutions, while the YSRCP merely engaged in “publicity stunts” like laying foundations. TDP spokesperson Pattabhi Ram accused Reddy of hiking management quota fees, making education less accessible, and failing to utilize ₹1,451 crore allocated for the colleges, of which only ₹600 crore was spent. The government insists the PPP model will add 1,500 MBBS seats by 2027–28, enhancing healthcare infrastructure.
Public and Political Reactions
The decision has sparked widespread concern among parents, students, and opposition leaders, who fear that PPP management will raise fees, limiting access for low- and middle-income families. Former YSRCP Minister Vidadala Rajini called the move a “scam,” alleging that land worth crores is being handed to private players, hurting the underprivileged. YSRCP leaders Seediri Appalaraju and Sake Sailajanath echoed Reddy, warning that privatization reflects Naidu’s ideology of prioritizing corporate interests over social welfare.
Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with YSRCP supporters rallying behind Reddy’s call to “save public healthcare,” while TDP defenders argue the PPP model is a pragmatic solution to fiscal constraints. Critics, including parent associations, estimate that the PPP policy has already cost 700 MBBS seats in 2024–25, with a potential loss of 1,750 more by 2025–26, totaling 2,450 seats transferred to private management.
Broader Implications
The controversy underscores a broader debate over public versus private roles in healthcare and education. Reddy’s Aarogyasri scheme, which benefited 45 lakh patients at ₹13,000 crore over five years, is cited as a model of accessible healthcare, while the TDP’s hybrid insurance scheme under PM-JAY and Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva faces criticism for potential claim rejections by private insurers. The loss of MBBS seats and rising costs could disproportionately affect marginalized communities, as highlighted by experts and parent groups.
Reddy’s vow to lead protests alongside like-minded organizations signals escalating political tensions in Andhra Pradesh. His refusal to attend the state assembly without proper opposition leader status further complicates legislative discourse. Meanwhile, the TDP’s push for PPP aligns with its broader economic strategy but risks public backlash if perceived as prioritizing profits over welfare.
Looking Ahead
As the TDP government moves forward with tenders for the 10 colleges, Reddy’s promise to reverse privatization deals sets the stage for a contentious battle. The YSRCP’s planned protests, combined with public discontent, could pressure the government to reconsider, though Naidu’s administration remains steadfast. The outcome will shape Andhra Pradesh’s healthcare and education landscape, with implications for the 2029 elections. For now, Reddy’s fiery rhetoric and the TDP’s defense of PPP have turned medical colleges into a political flashpoint, highlighting the state’s struggle to balance fiscal realities with public welfare.
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