Quartz mining allegations spark fresh clash between YSRCP and TDP in Nellore

A political storm has erupted in Nellore district over quartz mining, with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) trading sharp accusations.

YSRCP political affairs committee member and former minister P. Anil Kumar Yadav, re-entering the district's political scene after a prolonged absence, alleged that TDP MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy heads a quartz mining syndicate in the region. He went further, claiming the involvement of an international syndicate in the operations.

To substantiate his charge, Yadav displayed documents related to visa correspondence and the MP's foreign travel. He demanded the government verify the authenticity of these papers and present the findings to the public.

TDP leaders swiftly rejected the allegations. Nellore Deputy Mayor P. Roop Kumar Yadav asserted that Prabhakar Reddy had exited the quartz business years ago and had no connection to any syndicate. He explained that the MP had written to the Union Ministry of External Affairs in 2024 to facilitate a visa for a Chinese national planning a legitimate quartz sand processing unit in Nellore with an investment of ₹1,000 crore.

Roop Kumar Yadav, who is also a relative of Anil Kumar Yadav, noted that the Chinese businessman has been engaged in lawful trade in the district for 26 years. He challenged the YSRCP leader to prove his claims or face public backlash.

TDP district president and MLC Beeda Ravichandra dismissed the accusations as baseless, suggesting that Anil Kumar Yadav's 'loose talk' would erode his political relevance.

Meanwhile, former Kovur YSRCP MLA Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy has urged Prabhakar Reddy to issue a clear clarification on the matter.