YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has sharply criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who recently likened him to the notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. In a press conference held on Friday, chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy countered Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s allegations by mockingly questioning whether Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had personal connections with Escobar. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s comments came during the presentation of a white paper on law and order, which claimed that chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was attempting to emulate Escobar’s notorious reputation.
Chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, addressing the media, expressed surprise at Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s detailed knowledge of Escobar, suggesting that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s familiarity with the drug lord was indicative of some deeper connection or preoccupation. He emphasized that he was unfamiliar with Escobar until Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s repeated references, and characterized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s focus on this comparison as a diversionary tactic. chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also criticized the Congress party for its absence from a recent YSRCP protest in New Delhi, accusing it of having ties with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and using Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy as an intermediary.
Chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s administration was engaging in “diversion politics,” using media to deflect attention from alleged failures and controversies. He dismissed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s seven white papers as misleading and claimed that the TDP-led government had revised the state’s debt figures downward, from ₹14 lakh crore to ₹10 lakh crore, in a bid to mislead the public. chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also highlighted issues related to women’s safety, with claims of multiple rapes occurring shortly after the NDA government took office, and pointed out delays in welfare scheme disbursements.
According to chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s reluctance to present a regular budget is due to fear of exposing unmet electoral promises, such as the “Super Six” schemes, which include financial aid for women, youth, farmers, and schoolchildren. chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized Naidu for allegedly avoiding the budget presentation to sidestep accountability for these promises. He suggested that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was creating a climate of fear to prevent public protests.
Chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also alleged that the TDP-led government, in coalition with the BJP and Janasena, was failing to address rising crime rates and deteriorating public safety, with victims being penalized and police inaction being observed. He called for accountability and expressed concern about the state’s direction under the current administration, questioning whether it was moving forward or regressing.
