‘Why AP Needs Jagan’: Andhra CM’s Campaign Triggers TDP-YSRCP Tweet Duel

TDP called the YSRCP post a ‘gaffe’ that was ‘both painful and amusing’ as it questioned the effectiveness of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy. YSRCP hit back with a challenge.

With Andhra Pradesh assembly elections scheduled to be held next year, the ruling YSRCP is in campaign mode already and has been trying to connect with voters as part of its various outreach programmes. One of the massive outreach programmes, announced at least two months ago and launched this month, is titled ‘Why AP needs Jagan’.

The party posted the question on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday and asked the people to share their thoughts. While the post got a lot of traction, and many posted positive comments too, there was some embarrassment for the party as several users thought it inadvertently questioned the effectiveness of YSRCP leader and AP Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.    

This incident was quickly seized upon by the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which highlighted the contradictory nature of the tweet. 

“There can't be a worse method of trolling your own leader than asking people if he's even needed,” the party posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle as it sought to use the opportunity to question the CM's relevance and the strategies his administration is employing to manage the state's affairs.

In a press release later, the TDP described the post as “both painful and amusing”, adding: “Considering the dire state of Andhra Pradesh under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's administration, the pertinent question arises among the public: Does AP really need Jagan?” 

‘We Dare You’: YSRCP Counters

Meanwhile, the YSRCP countered the TDP jibe with another post on X. Quote-tweeting the TDP post, the ruling party said: “We have the courage to ask the public to list reasons why @ysjagan must be re-elected. Check out the comments section! We’ve got a list of reasons why AP needs Jagan.”

Using trending hashtag #MoyeMoye and #EndOfTDP, the YSRCP post dared the TDP to try doing the same: “Now, we dare you to ask people on your page if they trust @ncbn,🤣 and I’m sure the answers will put an end to TDP. You can try now!” 

The YSRCP is currently taking out a ‘Samajika Sadhikara Yatra’ across the state, with the party looking at retaining the state in the upcoming election even as it fights anti-incumbency. In 2019, the YSRCP had swept Andhra Pradesh, winning 151 seats out of the total 175. It also won 22 Lok Sabha seats that year.