Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of manipulating Lourdu Mary, the widow of C. Singayya, a YSRCP supporter who died after allegedly being struck by a vehicle in former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s convoy on June 18, 2025.
Addressing a press conference in Kuppam, Naidu condemned the YSRCP for exploiting Mary’s grief for political gain, labeling their actions as “inhumane” and reflective of a “dehumanizing political culture.”
The incident occurred in Palnadu district during Reddy’s visit to Rentapalla village to meet the family of a party leader who died by suicide, allegedly due to harassment by TDP leaders. Singayya, a 53-year-old Dalit from the Madiga sub-group, reportedly fell under a vehicle in Reddy’s convoy at Etukuru Cross, Guntur district, and later succumbed to his injuries. While police initially stated Singayya was not hit by Reddy’s convoy, subsequent video evidence led to a case being filed against Reddy and others for culpable homicide.
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Naidu alleged that YSRCP leaders are now pressuring Mary to make statements that deflect blame, claiming she expressed suspicions about her husband’s death in the ambulance after meeting Reddy. “They discarded Singayya like a stray dog without a shred of humanity,” Naidu said, accusing the YSRCP of coaching Mary to politicize the tragedy. He further criticized their “rowdyism and reckless politics,” vowing that the law will hold the guilty accountable.
Mary, however, alleged that individuals linked to IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Naidu’s son, visited her home, pressuring her to sign documents and speak against Reddy, claims Naidu dismissed as a YSRCP-orchestrated cover-up. She stated Singayya was conscious and speaking after the accident, raising doubts about what happened in the ambulance, though she affirmed her trust in Reddy, who offered ₹10 lakh in aid to her family.
Naidu also accused the YSRCP of past misdeeds, including tampering with land records, spreading lies about his involvement in Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy’s murder, and committing financial fraud he termed “economic terrorism.” He claimed his TDP-led NDA government is restoring Andhra’s once-robust land record system and addressing public grievances, while allocating ₹250 crore to support mango farmers facing procurement issues.
On irrigation, Naidu clarified that the Polavaram-Banakacharla link project, aimed at diverting 200 TMC of Godavari water to Rayalaseema, poses no harm and dismissed YSRCP’s “fake news” as divisive. “Nearly 2,000 TMC of Godavari water flows unused into the sea yearly. Utilizing just 200 TMC benefits both Andhra and Telangana,” he said, reaffirming his support for regional cooperation.
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