YSR Congress Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s lengthy lecture on values, trustworthiness, credibility, and integrity in politics has become a topic of discussion in political circles.
More than any other political party, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Congress has reacted sharply to Jagan’s comments.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) official spokesperson N Tulasi Reddy said that Jagan talking about trustworthiness and values is laughable.
Speaking to reporters in Vempalle, Tulasi Reddy compared Jagan’s talk of integrity and values in politics to Dushasana giving a lecture on women’s empowerment, Chintamani preaching about marital fidelity, and Nathuram Godse speaking about non-violence.
Dushasana was the character in the Mahabharata who attempted to disrobe Droupadi, Chintamani is a prostitute in a popular Telugu drama, and Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, who championed non-violence.
Tulasi Reddy was apparently referring to Jagan admitting former Congress minister Sake Sailajanath into the YSRCP just a day after delivering a speech on defections and integrity in politics.
The Congress leader also recalled that Jagan had previously accused Reliance Industries owner Mukesh Ambani of being responsible for his father Y S Rajasekhar Reddy’s death. He further pointed out that Jagan’s supporters had even attacked Reliance properties at the time.
"But after coming to power, Jagan not only joined hands with Mukesh Ambani but also gave a Rajya Sabha ticket to Ambani’s loyalist Parimal Nathwani on behalf of the YSRCP. Is this what he calls upholding integrity and values in politics?" he asked.
Tulasi Reddy further criticized Jagan for backtracking on several key issues, including Polavaram, CPS cancellation, unemployment, the liquor ban, AgriGold victims, farmer welfare, and petroleum prices.
"He even lied about not owning a newspaper and claimed he was poor. The less Jagan talks about trustworthiness, the better," Tulasi Reddy remarked sharply.
