Rahul silent on ‘vote chori’ in AP as he is in touch with Naidu: Jagan Reddy

YSRCP supremo Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not raising the issue of “vote chori” (vote theft) in Andhra Pradesh because he was in touch with Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu through Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

The explosive comment assumes significance since the BJP government in the Centre was dependent on the TDP for survival. Reddy alleged there was a 12.5 percent difference between the votes that were cast and later counted.

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However, the Congress slammed Reddy, saying that he should blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for his loss, but he does not have the guts to accuse them.

Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy today alleged that Rahul Gandhi has avoided talking about the alleged electoral malpractices in Andhra Pradesh because he was in touch with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

“Rahul Gandhi does not talk about Andhra Pradesh because Chandrababu is in touch with him through Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy on a hotline. So, what should I say about Rahul Gandhi, who himself is not sincere?” said Reddy at Tadepalli. He questioned Gandhi, saying, “Rahul Gandhi, when in Delhi, talks about vote chori. Why doesn’t he speak about the 12.50 per cent vote difference between what was announced and what was counted in Andhra Pradesh?”

Telangana Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala alleged that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was trying to confuse the Telugu population of both states with his accusations.

“He has to blame Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. That is what Rahul Gandhi is doing. He has taken examples of Karnataka, Bihar, where the SIR is happening now and of Maharashtra, where there is a difference between the Assembly and Parliament polls. Now Jagan Mohan Reddyji does not have the guts to talk about Narendra Modi and Amit Shah because he tried to make friends with them and save himself from the cases,” he said.

Congress MP and AICC in charge of AP Manickram Tagore slammed Reddy for spreading “imaginary stories.” He said, “If Mr Jagan is sincere against vote chori and has the guts to fight against Amit Shah and (Narendra) Modi, he should join the march of PCC president YS Sharmila Reddy ji in Vijayawada on 14 August.”