Andhra Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Satyakumar Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp counterattack on YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy over his remarks on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in government medical colleges, daring him to initiate action against the sitting minister if the policy was indeed flawed.

Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat, Satyakumar reacted strongly to Jagan’s statement that those involved in alleged irregularities in the construction of government medical colleges under the PPP model would be sent to jail within two months of his return to power. The minister termed the remarks an abuse-of-power mindset and said it reflected Jagan’s authoritarian political culture.

“If PPP is wrong, let Jagan send me to jail first,” Satyakumar challenged. He pointed out that the PPP model is actively promoted by the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is backed by institutions such as NITI Aayog, parliamentary committees, the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the judiciary. “Will Jagan send the Prime Minister to jail as well?” he asked, questioning the former Chief Minister’s logic.

The minister asserted that there was no scope for privatisation under the PPP framework adopted by the coalition government and clarified that government medical colleges would remain public institutions, while associated hospitals would continue under full government control. Paying salaries to hospital staff, he said, could not be termed a scam.

Criticising Jagan’s recent political activities, Satyakumar accused him of attempting to exert pressure even during meetings with the Governor by mobilising crowds under the guise of a ‘one crore signatures’ campaign. He alleged that the YSRCP leader was deliberately trying to derail development initiatives through fear-mongering and misinformation.