Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sustained an injury during the Memantha Siddham Bus Yatra on Saturday, as an unidentified individual hurled a stone at him, causing injury to his temple. The incident occurred during his election campaign in Vijayawada, according to a statement from his office. Allegations surfaced from YSRCP leaders, accusing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu of orchestrating the attack while Naidu condemned the incident, seeking a probe into it.
Visuals of the incident were shared by news agencies PTI and ANI.
Witnesses described seeing Reddy being attended to by medical personnel inside the bus, visibly in pain, PTI reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and wished CM Reddy a speedy recovery, "I pray for the speedy recovery and good health of Andhra Pradesh CM @ysjagan Garu.".
Andhra CM Jagan Reddy Injured: YSRCP Accuses Chandrababu Nadu, TDP Chief Condemns Attack
Allegations surfaced from YSRCP leaders, accusing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu of orchestrating the attack.
YSRCP shared photos of the injured Chief Minister on X, condemning the attack and attributing it to political adversaries. The post read, "In Vijayawada, our leader CM @ysjagan was attacked with green stones by Chandrababu. This unprecedented public response to the Memantha Siddham Yatra has unnerved the TDP green gang."
On the other hand, N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the incident as he posted on X, "I strongly condemn the attack on @ysjagan. I request the @ECISVEEP to initiate an impartial and unbiased inquiry into the incident and punish the responsible officials."
According to PTI, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that the stone hit Reddy with significant force, possibly launched from a catapult, while he was engaging with the crowd at Vivekananda School Centre in Singh Nagar, Vijayawada. Despite the injury, Reddy received prompt first aid from his security team inside the bus and resumed his campaign shortly after.
Alleging TDP involvement in the attack, YSR Congress Party leader Hafeez Khan remarked, "We strongly condemn these kinds of cowardly acts, especially by the TDP. Jagan Mohan Reddy had started a bus yatra, and he has been getting overwhelming response from all sections of society. They (TDP) are not able to accept the fact that the public is again backing Jagan Mohan Reddy."
TDP leader Jyothsna Tirunagari slammed the assertions against her party saying, "The recent attack on Jagan Mohan Reddy by miscreants is again being created as that it has been done by TDP, which is absolutely wrong. Jagan Mohan Reddy is used to such kinds of acts."
Elections for the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats are scheduled for May 13, with vote counting set for June 4.