Accusing TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu of being desperate to resort to an emotional blackmail, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Monday, said that the Opposition leader was apprehensive of losing his own constituency Kuppam this time and was behaving like a jilted lover.

Naidu had recently said that the election of 2024 would be his last election unless people voted him to power.

Addressing a large gathering in Narasapuram in the West Godavari district after laying foundation stones for a number of projects, the chief minister slammed both Naidu and Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena who he referred to as “adopted son” of the TDP chief.

Referring to Naidu’s remarks about not contesting again unless he is voted back to power Reddy said the act was akin to a jilted lover who climbs cell phone tower, holds pesticide bottle or threatens to jump before the train and commit suicide. He said the people have already said “bye-bye” to Naidu in the 2019 elections and then again in all the local bodies elections and are now ready to repeat it in the next Assembly elections.

He accused the former chief minister of doing nothing other than “loot, share and eat” with his friendly media in the past. Reddy said Chandrababu Naidu was being driven by frustration and desperation and made remarks because he was apprehensive of losing even his home turf, Kuppam. The YSRCP sounded its poll bugle for the 2024 elections from Kuppam, and Reddy has publicly stated he wants to win over Naidu’s constituency.

He also took a dig at Nara Lokesh, Naidu’s son and Pawan Kalyan, for failing to win elections but talking tall. “Today TDP has become Telugu Bhuthula (abuse)Party and Jana Sena Rowdy Sena,” said the chief minister taking a dig at Naidu for his recent outburst against the YSRCP and the Jana Sena after its activists created ruckus in Vizag.

He also took a swipe at TDP’s new political outreach programme “Idhem Karma ” highlighting the sad plight of the state under YSRCP rule. Reddy said the TDP chief was holding his head and mumbling “What karma is this, Babu?” while his father-in-law NT Rama Rao might have said the same thing when he was backstabbed by Chandrababu Naidu in order to grab power. He urged the people not to be misled by the TDP chief and his media.

Reddy laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 3,300 crore including a fishing harbour and Aquaculture University.