Jagan slams Naidu for mocking Singanamala MLA candidate as ‘illiterate tipper driver’

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh politics took a furious turn after TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu allegedly insulted rival YSRCP Singanamala Assembly candidate Veeranjaneyulu’s education and profession.

During his election campaign in Singanamala, Naidu highlighted how chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy selected a tipper driver as MLA candidate. “Instead of giving the seat to MLAs husband or MLA Padmavathi herself, the MLA ticket was given to their tipper driver. He is selectee an illiterate person as an MLA candidate. Hats off to you Jagan,” said Naidu sarcastically.

Reacting to the comments, Jagan lambasted Naidu, questioning: “What’s your problem if the poor are getting empowered?”

Political fight started in #AndhraPradesh over #CBN remarks on #YSRCP Singanamala assembly candidate Veeranjaneyulu who was a truck driver.

CM Jagan lambasted TDP chief questioning him--What is your problem if the poor are being empowered?

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— SriLakshmi Muttevi (@SriLakshmi_10) March 30, 2024

Addressing the ‘Memantha Siddham’ public gathering in Yerraguntla, Kurnool District, Jagan said, “Our YSRC party has a consistent pillar of support for the poor. In this election, we’ve categorically given tickets to candidates from economically poor backgrounds because we want equitable distribution of wealth and social justice. I pose this question to Chandrababu Naidu: What is your problem if the poor are being empowered? Our MLA candidate Veeranjaneyulu, though a tipper driver by profession, is our pride,” said Jagan.

“His educational qualifications surpass those of Chandrababu Naidu. With a Master’s degree in Economics and a B.Ed under his belt, he endured the hardships of unemployment during his TDP tenure. In fact, that’s the reason why despite good educational qualifications, he was forced to work as a tipper driver to support his family. It is disheartening that individuals like Veeranjaneyulu are being belittled merely for their economic status,” he stated.

Speaking to the media, Veeranjaneyulu said, “We are proud to be selected as the MLA candidate. YSRCP is a people’s party and so Jagan has selected us. It is sad to see how a former CM and a senior leader spoke against a poor person without any knowledge. I’m not an illiterate, I have a Master’s degree in Economics."

Singanamala is an SC-reserved constituency. In the 2019 Assembly elections, Jonnalagadda Padmavathi was elected as an MLA on behalf of the YSRCP. Padmavathi defeated TDP candidate Bandaru Sravani Sree. This time, YS Jagan denied her a ticket and nominated Veeranjaneyalu as an MLA candidate from the Singanamala Assembly constituency. Veeranjaneyulu’s candidature was recommended by Sambasiva Reddy, husband of Jonnalagadda Padmavathi, who had been entrusted with the task of recommending a candidate in place of his wife.