Congress Criticizes Jagan Reddy for Backing NDA Candidate
YSRCP’s support for NDA candidate sparks fierce criticism.
As India gears up for its vice-presidential election on Tuesday, the Congress party launched a scathing attack on YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Jagan Mohan Reddy for backing the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan, accusing him of betraying Andhra Pradesh’s interests. The sharp rebuke, led by Congress leader Manickam Tagore, comes hours before a high-stakes contest between Radhakrishnan and the opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy, with the BJP-led NDA holding a numerical advantage.
In a fiery post on X, Tagore accused Reddy of choosing “fear of CBI cases” over the welfare of Andhra Pradesh by supporting an “RSS-backed candidate.” “History won’t forget Mr. Jagan’s betrayal,” he wrote, alleging that Reddy’s decision reflects a “surrender” to pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Tagore called it a “compromise” driven by personal survival rather than courage, stating, “Andhra deserved courage. He chose cowardice.” He further claimed that Reddy’s alignment with the NDA sacrifices the people’s mandate to evade legal scrutiny.
Tagore also urged MPs to vote for a candidate who upholds the Constitution, framing the election as a choice between democratic values and an “RSS candidate.” Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad echoed this sentiment, describing the poll as a battle between those protecting the Constitution and those undermining it. “One side respects Baba Saheb Ambedkar, while the other disrespects him,” Prasad said, predicting an “interesting” contest.
Also Read: YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy Gets Bail for VP Poll
The election, necessitated by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation, pits Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader and Maharashtra Governor, against Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge known for landmark rulings. BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed confidence in Radhakrishnan’s victory, citing his representation of national interests and welcoming potential opposition support. With 422 MPs backing the NDA, surpassing the 391-vote threshold, Radhakrishnan appears poised for a comfortable win, despite the INDIA bloc’s coalition of Congress, DMK, TMC, and others.
The Congress’s criticism of YSRCP underscores deep political divisions, with the opposition framing Reddy’s support as a betrayal of democratic principles, while the NDA projects confidence in securing the vice-presidency.
Also Read: Pawan Kalyan Slams ₹453 Crore Rushikonda ‘Burden’
