Lagatar24 Desk
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday likened former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. During a white paper release in the assembly, Naidu claimed that Andhra Pradesh had transformed into the “Ganja capital” of India under Reddy’s administration.
Naidu, leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), lambasted Reddy for the alleged deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. He remarked that in his long political career, he had never witnessed such conditions in Andhra Pradesh. “There was only one person who can compare to what happened in Andhra, drug lord Pablo Escobar,” Naidu asserted.
Drawing a parallel to Escobar’s infamous career, Naidu elaborated, “Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and narco-terrorist who turned politician. He amassed a fortune of 30 billion dollars and became the world’s richest drug lord. Similarly, what was the aim of the former chief minister (YS Jagan)? Like the Ambanis and Tata, he sought immense wealth. Some are driven by needs, others by greed, and some by mania—these maniacs engage in such activities,” Naidu said, according to ANI.
Naidu alleged that during Reddy’s tenure, ganja was easily accessible in every village of the state. He also accused Reddy of persecuting TDP leaders by filing cases against them.
In response, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized the TDP government on Wednesday, claiming widespread lawlessness in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking at a protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Reddy questioned the state of democracy in Andhra Pradesh. “We question whether democracy is prevalent in Andhra Pradesh, where equitable justice is denied, and democracy stands limping,” the former chief minister said.
Reddy highlighted a series of violent incidents that occurred within 45 days of the government coming into power. He claimed over 30 murders, numerous assaults, vandalized properties, and around 1000 cases of assault. Reddy’s protest in Delhi was also joined by Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav.
