With no credibility, it doesn't make difference if Chandrababu is in jail or outside: YS Jagan

VIJAYAWADA: "There is no big difference whether TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu is in jail or outside as he lacks credibility among the public in the State," said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy during an interaction with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) cadres at IGMC Stadium in Vijayawada on Monday.

YS Jagan said, "People will remember Naidu and his TDP for hoodwinking and back-stabbing. While the YSRCP and Jagan are remembered for social justice and revolutionary changes brought in education, medical, agriculture and Direct Benefit transfer (DBT) for beneficiaries without giving any scope for irregularities."

The Chief Minister said that Naidu's arrest in a scam in AP Skill Development Corporation was not politically motivated and it was thoroughly probed by the Central Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate (ED). "The opposition leader was arrested while I was abroad. If it is a politically motivated arrest, why will the BJP in the Centre remain calm over Naidu's arrest? The central agencies prove the irregularities made by Naidu and arrested those involved in the scam," YS Jagan said.

YS Jagan also said that the income tax department issued a show-cause notice to Naidu on undisclosed income Rs 118 crore received as a kickback from infrastructure firms. Taking a jibe at Naidu, he said that the latter also made corruption charges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the YSRCP was in opposition. Naidu even prevented the central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED to enter the State and investigate any case within Andhra Pradesh, he added.

Referring to alliances in the upcoming elections, YS Jagan said, "The YSRCP will have no alliance with any party in the ensuing elections. The party will have a direct pact with people." Launching a scathing attack on Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan, he said that the actor-turned politician did not have candidates for each Assembly constituency and cadre. "Pawan Kalyan's role in AP politics is only to support his partner in crime Naidu in the scams and mudslinging on the YSRCP Government doing welfare for the people in the State," YS Jagan said.

The Chief Minister urged people to remember the benefits they received from the YSRCP Government before voting in elections. "That's why the YSRCP has come up with the 'Why Not 175' slogan to win all 175 assembly constituencies in the 2024 general elections," YS Jagan said.