Tadepalli, Andhra Pradesh – On Saturday, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of escalating “vendetta politics” following the state government’s demolition of YSRCP’s under-construction office in Tadepalli. The demolition, which began early in the morning, has sparked a political firestorm, with allegations of high-handedness and disregard for legal orders.
Reddy condemned the demolition, describing Naidu as a “dictator” who has taken political vendetta to unprecedented levels. “Chandrababu took vendetta politics to the next level. Like a dictator, he got YSRCP’s central office demolished with excavators and bulldozers, which was almost complete,” Reddy stated in a post on ‘X’, the social media platform.
The YSRCP has alleged that the demolition was carried out in violation of a high court order. According to the party, they had moved the High Court against the proposed action, and the court had ordered a halt to the demolition activities. The party claims that their lawyer had communicated this decision to the commissioner of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), but the demolition proceeded regardless.
“The demolition proceeded even though the YSRCP had approached the High Court the previous day (Friday), challenging the preliminary actions of the CRDA,” said a party statement. The YSRCP has termed the CRDA’s actions as “contempt of court.”
TDP’s Defense
In response, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has defended the demolition, asserting that the construction was illegal and lacked necessary permissions. TDP leader Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy dismissed the allegations of political vendetta, stating, “As per the law and prevailing rules, any illegal construction needs to be demolished. Today, the party office of YSRCP which is being built illegally without obtaining any permissions from the concerned departments is being demolished as per the rules. This has nothing to do with any kind of political vendetta as the YSRCP is alleging.”
Kommareddy emphasized that the TDP and Naidu have never engaged in political vendetta and challenged the YSRCP to provide evidence of required permissions for the construction.
Broader Political Implications
The demolition has broader implications in the state’s political landscape, exacerbating tensions between the ruling TDP and the opposition YSRCP. The former chief minister, Reddy, has accused the NDA government, which includes TDP, BJP, and Janasena, of eroding law and justice in Andhra Pradesh. He warned that the demolition indicates how Naidu’s governance would unfold over the next five years.
Reddy maintained that YSRCP would not be intimidated by these actions, reaffirming the party’s resolve to stand against what he perceives as authoritarian measures by the current government.
This controversy comes on the heels of another political dispute, with the TDP accusing Reddy of constructing a ₹500 crore hilltop palace in Visakhapatnam. The TDP has labeled Reddy a “furniture thief,” further escalating the political animosity between the two parties.
The demolition of the YSRCP’s under-construction office in Tadepalli has ignited a significant political controversy in Andhra Pradesh, with accusations of vendetta politics, legal violations, and dictatorial governance. As both parties continue to trade barbs, the political landscape in the state remains highly charged, with legal and political ramifications likely to unfold in the coming days.
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