Taking objection to YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s criticism of the declaration of assets of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s family, Ministers Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and K.S. Jawahar on Thursday said the Leader of the Opposition had on right to do so.
The Ministers were here to review the arrangements for Mr. Naidu’s visit to the city on Friday and Saturday.
“While Mr. Reddy is A-1, his MP V. Vijaya Sai Reddy is A-2 in several cases. It is unfortunate that they are criticising Mr. Naidu. Former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had filed 25 cases against Mr. Naidu between 1995 and 2004, but could not prove even one,” the Ministers said.
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“Mr. Reddy’s affidavit does not speak about his palatial Lotus Pond residence where he spends most of his time. And not a word is said about his residence spread over 23 acres in Bengaluru,” Mr. Umamaheswara Rao said, and challenged Mr. Reddy to declare his assets.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy had not been showing his earnings from Sakshi TV channel and newspaper, the Minister alleged.
“However, Mr. Reddy’s stocks in Bharati Cements increased from ₹10 to ₹1,400 in a day and those in Sakshi media group from ₹10 to ₹300,” the Minister said.
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“Mr. Naidu has been declaring his assets for the past eight years, setting a benchmark for politicians,” said Mr. Umamaheswara Rao.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy had a secret pact with Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and, therefore, did not field candidates in that State. Similar was the case with Pawan Kalyan, the Minister said.
“The person who does not come to the Assembly and who prefers to sit in his Lotus Pond residence in Hyderabad need not come to Andhra Pradesh,” Mr. Umamaheswara Rao said, and added that people would reject the YSRCP in the 2019 elections.