Chandrababu Naidu Equates Jagan Mohan Reddy to Notorious Drug Lord Pablo Escobar

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu fiercely responded to his predecessor Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy in the state assembly today, drawing a comparison between him and the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. This rebuttal followed a protest by Mr. Reddy in Delhi, where he showcased photos and videos depicting violence in the state at the India International Centre. Mr. Reddy has accused Mr. Naidu and his party of targeting YSR Congress workers and leaders.

"Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord and a narco-terrorist. He became a politician and started a cartel to sell drugs, amassing $30 billion at that time, which is now valued at $90 billion. He was arrested in 1976 and by 1980, he was the world’s richest drug lord. One can become wealthier by selling drugs as well," Mr. Naidu stated in the assembly today.

"What was the aim of the former Chief Minister (Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy)? Tata, Reliance, Ambani have money, and he aspired to surpass them. Some have needs, some have greed, and some have mania. These maniacs engage in such activities," he added.

According to Mr. Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Andhra Pradesh has transformed into the drug capital of the country over the past five years, alleging that the Chief Minister had a role in this. Mr. Reddy already faces multiple criminal charges, including an attempted murder case filed earlier this month following a complaint by TDP MLA K. Raghurama Krishna Raju from the Undi assembly constituency.

YSR Congress Party spokesperson Konda Rajin Gandhi stated that the TDP seems to believe that the "elections are not over." He accused the TDP of trying to divert attention from the ongoing violence in the state, which Mr. Reddy has highlighted in Delhi. Several opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, attended the exhibition.