Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], November 14 : YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of taking credit for the state's improvement in the Access (In) Equality Index (AEI) ranking.
He asserted that its progress from 10th to third position between the 2021 and 2024 reports was achieved during the YSRCP government's tenure.
In a post on X, Jagan described the development as another instance of "credit chori" and alleged that Naidu was claiming credit for an achievement that was not attributable to his government.
https://x.com/ysjagan/status/2121589989599515105?s=19
"Another Classic Case of 'Credit Chori': Taking Bows for Andhra Pradesh's Leap from 10th to 3rd in the AEI (Access (In) Equality Index) Ranking during 2021-24," he wrote.
He said OP Jindal Global University, in association with the Centre for New Economic Studies (CNES), published the AEI reports in 2021 and 2024, assessing states on five key pillars related to social and human development.
According to Jagan, the 2021 report was based on statistics for most indicators from the period before 2019, while the 2024 report used data entirely from the period between 2021 and 2023. He said comparing the two reports provided a picture of the state's socio-economic progress before and during the YSRCP government's tenure.
"Therefore one can surmise that comparing both the reports ably provides the socio economic picture before and after the formation of YSRCP Government," he said.
Highlighting the state's performance across different parameters, the YSRCP chief said Andhra Pradesh improved its position in the Health Index Score from eighth in 2021 to second in the 2024 report.
Similarly, in the Socio-Economic Security pillar, the state's ranking improved from 11th position in 2021 to first in the 2024 report. Jagan attributed the improvement to the emphasis placed by his government on welfare and development programmes.
"This did not happen by accident. Right emphasis on welfare and development made this possible," he said.
He further credited the implementation of welfare programmes, protection of private consumption during periods of distress, and support to industry and manufacturing sectors for the improvement.
"Implementation of welfare programmes in most transparent manner, duly safeguarding private consumption during times of distress and support to industry and manufacturing sectors ensuing their fastest growth in South India during 2019-24 enabling better access to work and social security, is a major reason for this achievement," he wrote.
On the Legal Recourse pillar, Andhra Pradesh's ranking improved from 15th position in the 2021 report to second in 2024, Jagan said.
Referring to the overall composite score, he said the state moved from 10th position in 2021 to third in 2024, describing it as the biggest improvement among all states.
"The 2024 AEI report, in fact made a special mention that 'ANDHRA PRADESH MADE THE BIGGEST JUMP RISING FROM 10 PLACE TO 3rd PLACE OUT OF ALL THE STATES'," he wrote.
Jagan further said the achievements reflected his government's emphasis on socio-economic programmes and welfare measures.
He also hit out at Naidu's description of the state's financial condition during the previous government, saying the improvements were achieved during a period that the Chief Minister had described as a time when the state was "on a ventilator". 
"I am indeed proud to say that owing to the YSRCP Government's emphasis on socio economic programmes, the State could demonstrate significant improvement on all parameters," he said.