Amaravati — Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday accused YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of opposing the Chief Election Commissioner because the poll body did not act according to his wishes. Naidu's remarks came a day after the former chief minister expressed regret for supporting the 2023 legislation governing the selection of the CEC when his party was still in power in the state.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Undavalli, Naidu pointed out the sudden reversal in the opposition leader's position. He stated that Reddy had previously backed the appointment procedure, but now opposed it simply because the Election Commission refused to follow his directives.
Naidu also criticized Reddy's recent comments arguing that the arrest of certain leaders would not solve anything and that trust in the electoral process needed restoration. The chief minister expressed confusion over Reddy's reasoning and claimed that passionate younger generations were being misled by the YSRCP.
Accusing the opposition party of encouraging unlawful behavior, Naidu alleged that the YSRCP supports individuals in committing crimes, secures their release, and then pushes them toward even greater offenses until they become major criminals. He asserted that this toxic culture must be eliminated before it causes further harm to society.
Highlighting his own four-decade political career, Naidu maintained that he has consistently avoided association with rowdies and maintains a values-based approach to governance. The ongoing political clash has further intensified public debate surrounding electoral trust and the alleged political patronage of criminal elements in the state.