YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy once again courted controversy by invoking the name of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao by acknowledging his promise to fight for the Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh.
Winding up his election-eve whirlwind tour across the State, Mr. Jagan conducted a roadshow at Sri Krishna Devaraya Circle in the temple city on Tuesday.
Elaborating on the need for ‘collective strength’ to demand the tag from the Centre, he said: “We need the support of as many MPs as possible for bringing pressure on the Centre. When Mr. KCR promises us support, why should we not accept it? Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu nurses a grudge against the TS Chief Minister and is trying to project him as a demon in all his public meetings.”
In an oblique reference to JSP chief Pawan Kalyan, Mr. Jagan said ‘Chandrababu Naidu’s partner’ had gone overboard in blaming the YSRCP for all the crimes committed in the State.
Accusing Mr. Naidu of deceiving all sections of people, Mr. Jagan asked people to be wary of his ‘conspiracies.’
Addressing a public meeting at Mangalagiri, Mr. Jagan said the CM and his son Lokesh had brought disrepute to the State, but he would bring in a transparent and efficient administration with a mandate to take welfare schemes to the targeted sections. Mr. Lokesh is contesting from the Mangalagiri Assembly seat.
Mr. Jagan said most of the scandals which had happened during the last five years had their roots in Mangalagiri.
Introducing sitting MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy to the gathering, the YSRCP chief said: “Vote for him and I will make him a Minister.”
‘Situation fluid’
Mr. Jagan, responding to the allegations levelled by the TDP about a possible alliance with BJP, said: “In 2014, we did not ally with the saffron party even when we sensed a Modi wave, and now when his popularity seems to be on the wane, why should we do it?”
Addressing an election meting in Kurnool, he said that in the current situation, no party would get an absolute majority at the Centre.
On post-poll alliances, Mr. Jagan said the YSRCP would support any party that is willing to give the SCS.
