TIRUPATI: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded that Opposition leader Nara Chandrababu Naidu clarify his stand on his ally BJP's declaration to scrap 4 per cent reservation for Muslims once the NDA alliance assumes power at the Centre once again.
Addressing a public rally in Nellore on Saturday, Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the Telugu Desam president, who is part of the BJP-led NDA, whether he would endorse such a bill.
"Naidu’s hypocrisy is boundless. He has allied with BJP, which has vowed to axe reservations for Muslims. At the same time, he is engaging in theatrics before Muslims in AP. Contrary to this, I have stood steadfast in my support for reservation for minorities. I will fight tooth and nail to uphold it,” Jagan Mohan Reddy declared.
He further cornered Naidu saying, “Can Babu assert that he will fight for reservations for Muslims? Will he quit the NDA to battle for Muslims? Why this brazen double-dealing?"
The Chief Minister asserted that his YSRC upholds secularism and equal treatment of all castes and religions. He vowed that under his leadership, the YSRC will oppose any legislation that discriminates against any religion or caste, especially targeting the poor and underprivileged sections.
In Hindupur, Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Naidu of peddling misinformation on the AP Land Titling Act. "I am a land giver, not a land grabber,” he maintained. He asserted that the Act will fully secure the rights of all farmers over their land. He assured farmers that his government will provide a full guarantee that all their lands will continue to belong to them and remain protected.
At Palamaner the YSRC chief likened the impending elections to the battle of Kurukshetra, asserting that the poll outcome will decide the future of Andhra Pradesh and its people for the next five years. He implored people to choose their leader judiciously.
The Chief Minister cautioned people against falling prey to machinations of Naidu and his alliances. He reminded people how the Opposition leader had sabotaged pension disbursements and welfare schemes, forcing the elderly and differently-abled to endure arduous queues.
