Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y S Sharmila never misses a chance to take a dig at her brother, YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On Thursday, she targeted Jagan over what she described as a high-voltage political drama at the Bangarupalem market yard in Chittoor district, where he met mango farmers struggling with non-remunerative prices.
Sharmila dismissed the entire episode as a scripted act between the ruling coalition and the opposition YSRCP.
“This is nothing but a ‘You slap, I pretend to cry’ political game,” she said.
She criticized the administration for allowing large gatherings under the guise of condolence visits.
“Though permission was granted for only 500 people, the authorities turned a blind eye even when 10,000 showed up. These so-called condolence visits are actually political power shows staged under police protection,” she alleged.
Sharmila accused the authorities of being passive spectators while mass gatherings unfolded.
“The Bangarupalem mango protest was clearly a coordinated drama, staged by the YSRCP and backed by the coalition, with the police playing along,” she said.
She further alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy orchestrated the spectacle under the tacit support of the BJP-led Centre.
“This was allowed because Jagan has a secret pact with Prime Minister Modi. Under Modi’s protection, Jagan is allowed to do anything in the state,” she claimed.
“Even if cars run over people's heads or mangoes are crushed on the streets, or death threats are made in public, no action is taken. This is not a genuine protest for farmers—it’s a money-driven show of strength. Jagan’s so-called concern for farmers is nothing more than crocodile tears,” Sharmila added.
Highlighting the plight of Totapuri mango farmers, Sharmila said the sharp decline in prices has left them in deep distress.
“After months of hard work, they’re now forced to sell their crops at unviable rates. The fruit has turned bitter for them,” she said.
She also accused both the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government and the current Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition of failing the farmers.
“Neither administration has provided a Minimum Support Price (MSP) or stepped in to protect the farmers. The coalition government has completely failed in this regard,” Sharmila concluded.
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