Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday called YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Jagan Mohan Reddy “Kansa Mama” amid reports that he had allegedly refused to allow his niece’s wedding to take place at the family’s property in Bengaluru. During a press conference, Naidu launched a personal attack on Jagan and accused the former chief minister of fomenting unrest in several parts of Andhra Pradesh ahead of the local body elections.
Naidu alleged that Jagan had treated his mother and sister, YS Sharmila, unfairly amid disputes over family property. He also questioned Jagan’s moral values, criticising his reported decision to deny Sharmila permission to hold her daughter’s wedding at the family’s Yelahanka Palace. Naidu argued that Sharmila was entitled to a share in the property as well.
Drawing a comparison with Kansa, the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna who attempted to kill him, the TDP chief accused Jagan of having a “dangerous mindset” and pursuing destructive politics.
WHAT IS THE ROW OVER JAGAN REDDY’S NIECE’S WEDDING?
According to several reports, Sharmila, the Andhra Pradesh Congress chief, wanted her daughter’s wedding to be held at the family’s expansive Yelahanka Palace in Bengaluru. Sharmila’s daughter, YS Anjili Reddy, got engaged last month, and her wedding is scheduled for November 25.
However, reports in Hindustan Times and The Hindu said Jagan had conveyed through their mother that he would not permit the wedding ceremony to take place at the palace. The YSRCP chief reportedly cited security and privacy concerns. Attempts by Sharmila to persuade him through relatives also failed to resolve the issue.
Sharmila was subsequently compelled to look for another wedding venue in Bengaluru.
The dispute has once again highlighted the longstanding differences between the siblings over the family’s properties.
The death of their father, then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, in a helicopter crash in 2009 left the division of the family’s assets unresolved, contributing to tensions between the siblings.
Their relationship deteriorated further after Jagan became chief minister in 2019. Sharmila later launched a political party in neighbouring Telangana before joining the Congress in 2024.
NAIDU ACCUSES YSRCP OF VIOLENCE
Naidu also accused Jagan and the YSRCP of orchestrating violence and intimidating candidates during the local body election process in various parts of Andhra Pradesh.
At the press conference, the chief minister presented videos purportedly showing attacks on candidates and incidents of violence in Punganur, Rayachoti, Kanigiri, Darsi, Kadapa, Thamballapalle and Tirupati.
He alleged that groups from Punjab had been brought into the state to intimidate people. Naidu further claimed that nomination papers were snatched at the Kanigiri centre and that the Jana Sena Party office in Thamballapalle was attacked.
The allegations against the YSRCP could not be independently verified. However, several candidates have claimed that they were prevented from submitting their nomination papers.
The YSRCP, meanwhile, accused the ruling TDP of misusing government machinery and the police to intimidate opposition candidates.
The opposition party has demanded President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh and called for the deployment of central forces to ensure free and fair local body elections.
The matter also reached the Supreme Court, following which the Andhra Pradesh Election Commission announced a revised election schedule on Thursday.
Elections to 100 urban local bodies, including 13 municipal corporations, are scheduled to take place on November 1, with vote counting set for November 3.
