Jagan slams Naidu for exploiting NTR's legacy

TIRUPATI: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a scathing attack against Telugu Desam party chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu, whom he accused of exploiting the legacy of the party’s founder and former Chief Minister, N.T. Rama Rao, for personal political gains.

Addressing a public meeting in Nagari on Monday, the Chief Minister criticised Naidu for garlanding NTR's portrait and participating in the unveiling of a commemorative ₹100 coin featuring the late leader in Delhi. He characterised Naidu's actions as a clear attempt to manipulate public sentiment for political mileage, terming it "preposterous" that Naidu would honour a leader he had allegedly backstabbed.

Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned Naidu's political tactics, stating, "This shows his attitude to gain sympathy and political mileage ahead of elections."

He urged the people not to be swayed by the opposition's false propaganda and highlighted Naidu's reliance on what he called "lies and discrediting the government and ruling party" using ‘friendly’ media.

He questioned Naidu's credibility and the promises made during his tenure and contrasted them with his own administration's achievements, pointing to significant strides in healthcare, infrastructure and business growth. He highlighted initiatives such as the family doctor program, village clinics, and infrastructure development besides spearheading the state to the top of the ease of doing rankings for three successive years.

Taking a dig at Naidu's recent visit to New Delhi to report alleged bogus voters in Andhra Pradesh to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Jagan Mohan Reddy called it "very strange." He pointedly questioned how Naidu, whom he labelled as the "mastermind" behind such alleged malpractices, could be the one complaining about them.

The Chief Minister highlighted the YSRC government's commitment to honour the election manifesto. He accused Naidu of engaging in a policy of "plunder, stash, and devour," claiming that his rule had left key segments of the population, including farmers, self-help groups, and marginalized communities, deceived and neglected.

He claimed that they are waging a war on Goebbels campaigners, referring to those who spread false information for political purposes. He urged the public to stand by his government in the next elections if they believed they had benefited from its initiatives and teach the opposition a fitting lesson.