YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy raised a striking question during his press conference at Tadepalli on Wednesday: “Why are people attending my meetings in such large numbers, but not those of Telugu Desam Party president and current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu?”
Jagan himself offered an explanation. He said people have lost faith in Naidu's ability to solve their problems.
“People are approaching me and YSRCP leaders because they believe the Naidu government will collapse within the next three years and the YSRCP will return to power. So they see no point in sharing their grievances with a chief minister who ignores them,” Jagan asserted.
He accused Naidu of trying to suppress the opposition due to growing public support for the YSRCP.
Jagan alleged that senior officials like PSR Anjaneyulu are being arrested and others such as Sanjay, PV Sunil, and Kanthirana Tata are being suspended based on fabricated charges.
“Several officers are being harassed with no postings, while those loyal to the ruling party are strategically placed to target the opposition,” he claimed. “The situation in the state is alarming. The YSRCP is the only party that consistently responds to crises affecting farmers, women, students, the unemployed, and government employees.”
He emphasized that the YSRCP has a responsibility to stand with the people, citing numerous protests the party has organized over the past year.
Referring to the campaign “Recalling Chandrababu’s Manifesto,” Jagan highlighted the slogan “Babu’s Surety – Guarantee of Deceit” as part of efforts to expose Naidu’s broken promises and urge the public to hold him accountable.
Jagan further alleged that the Naidu government is facilitating illegal activities such as sand and mud mafias and gambling clubs with help from certain officials.
He claimed that some Circle Inspectors are collecting money under pressure from DIGs and passing it along to MLAs.
“This unbearable pressure is pushing officers like Siddharth Kaushal to take voluntary retirement,” he said. “Even No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for central deputation are being denied, forcing many to step down.”
He questioned how a veteran leader like Chandrababu Naidu, with over 40 years in politics, could ignore the fundamental rights of political parties.
“Isn’t it a party’s right to connect with people and raise awareness? Don’t we have the democratic right to oppose a government that causes harm?” he asked.
Citing a recent incident in Gudivada, Jagan accused TDP supporters of attacking ZPTC member and ZP chairperson Uppala Harika, a BC woman, with sticks and rods.
“What was her fault?” Jagan asked. “All she did was question the status of Naidu’s 'Super Six' promises. She was assaulted, her car vandalized, and the police stood by for over an hour without intervening.”
He also alleged that the next day, police filed cases against YSRCP leaders Perni Nani, K Anil Kumar, and others.
Jagan questioned whether political parties no longer have the right to hold cadre meetings or release QR codes highlighting the unfulfilled promises in Naidu’s manifesto.
