Jagan defends YSRCP supporter's 'provocative poster' during visit to Palnadu district

Amaravati, Jun 20 (PTI) YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy defended a "provocative poster" waved by a supporter during his recent visit to Palnadu district, which allegedly hinted at hacking opponents.

The poster alluded to Pushpa-movie style hacking of opponents during a temple fair.

On Wednesday, Reddy called on the family of a late YSRCP leader at Rentapalla village in Palnadu district, who allegedly died by suicide due to police and TDP leaders' harassment after the TDP-led NDA government stormed to power a year ago.

The image of the provocative poster held by a purported YSRCP supporter went viral.

The poster was brought to the notice of the former CM when he was answering questions after a long press conference on Thursday at YSRCP central office in Tadepalli. He was also informed by reporters that the poster-bearing supporter was "once a TDP activist and the ruling party's member".

When a reporter shared a photograph of the supporter with TDP leaders, Reddy said, "Let's be happy that he has transformed." "Let's be happy that he has transformed. Such a TDP sympathiser has also changed because of his anger at Chandrababu Naidu. He changed and is telling that he will cut TDP rapa rapa (cutting sound). Let's be happy for that," said Reddy on Thursday.

The YSRCP chief said that a former TDP supporter was so vexed with the alleged lies and unfulfilled poll promises by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that he turned into a YSRCP supporter to direct his ire against the ruling party.

"Maybe they (TDP supporters) are also sad. All schemes are being defaulted, all turned into lies. No fee reimbursement, no Aarogyasri, no financial aid to farmers, no remunerative prices for (farmers) and on the other hand no Super Six or Super Seven with lies," he noted, referring to several poll promises.

Their lives were ravaged, so maybe there was a change in him (purported YSRCP), said Reddy, highlighting that an "active member of TDP" had reportedly joined YSRCP to direct his anger against TDP people.

At one point, he also suspected if this was a stunt put up by the TDP.

Further, the opposition leader questioned if it was wrong to use Pushpa cinema dialogues. Whether we are in a democracy or not? "I am not able to understand? If Pushpa cinema dialogues are put (used in a placard) is it a mistake?" asked Reddy. PTI STH KH