Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday took a swipe at YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticising his demand for recognition as the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly. Naidu underscored that opposition status is determined by public mandate and cannot be claimed without sufficient electoral support.
Speaking during the assembly session, Naidu remarked, "I have never seen a leader like Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is demanding the opposition status to attend proceedings." He said that such a position would be granted by the people through their votes, not by personal requests or boycotts.
"When people vote, and when a party wins 10 per cent of the seats, that party will get the opposition status. When we have a majority, we will form the government," said Naidu, as per a report on PTI.
The CM made the comments while congratulating Undi TDP MLA K Raghurama Krishna Raju on his election as deputy speaker. Highlighting democratic principles, Naidu stated, "Dictating terms and demanding positions will not work in democracy."
In a scathing critique, Naidu once again compared Jagan Reddy to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, alleging behavioral similarities. He emphasised the need to analyse Reddy’s "personality and thinking patterns" for making such demands.
Crackdown on Marijuana and New Legislation
In addition to addressing opposition politics, Naidu assured the assembly that his government would intensify actions against those involved in the cultivation or sale of marijuana, aligning with the state’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal activities.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also introduced a new legislative proposal, calling for the tabling of a "Social Media Abuse Protection Bill" to counter online abuse. The bill aims to establish stricter guidelines for addressing harassment and misinformation on social platforms.