TDP Calls Out Jagan Mohan Reddy's Delhi Dharna as 'Political Drama'

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has criticized YSR Congress party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over his planned protest in Delhi, calling it a diversionary political drama. Senior TDP MPs questioned his motives, alleging Reddy's actions are aimed at misleading the public and shifting focus from state development issues.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Monday condemned YSR Congress party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for his planned dharna in Delhi on July 24, calling it a ''political drama'' meant to deflect attention from state issues.

In a press conference, senior TDP Lok Sabha MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao questioned Reddy's intentions, noting that the former Chief Minister had never staged a protest in the national capital for Andhra Pradesh's development.

''His Delhi visits have always been centered around his legal cases. He has never held dharna or addressed the media about Andhra Pradesh's problems,'' Rao remarked.

Rao accused Reddy of engaging in another ''fake campaign'' and ''diversion politics'' to mislead the people of Andhra. The ruling party claimed Reddy is attempting to tarnish the TDP's image. ''Our party has always been committed to the state's development. He's trying to pin issues on us that we didn't cause,'' asserted Putta Mahesh Kumar, TDP MP from Eluru.

Citing past incidents, the MP alleged that Reddy had staged ''dramas,'' including a ''self-inflicted stone-throwing incident'' during election campaigning. ''The people of Andhra have seen through these tactics. They didn't even elect him as the opposition leader,'' he claimed.

The TDP leader addressed allegations of violence, stating, ''He's acting as if TDP has committed murder. In reality, our party suffered under the YSRCP government for five years.'' The MP urged the people of Andhra Pradesh not to be misled by what he termed as diversionary tactics. ''This dharna is an attempt to shift focus from assembly issues and our party's efforts to secure funds from the Centre for state development,'' he added.

TDP MPs from Kurnool B Nagaraju Panchalinga and Visakhapatnam M Sribharat were also present at the press conference. Last week, the YSRCP chief announced a peaceful protest in New Delhi on July 24 to highlight ''the lawlessness and anarchy that have plagued'' Andhra Pradesh under the NDA's rule.

TDP is a key ally of the BJP-led NDA both at the state and central levels.

(With inputs from agencies.)