Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s political tour last week kicked up a storm as a movie dialogue appeared on the banners welcoming him. The ‘Pushpa-2’ movie dialogue adopted by YSRCP followers was seen as a violent threat by the ruling TDP camp as it described animal sacrifice in a gory way. While the TDP accused the YSRCP of encouraging violence, the YSRCP said the member who held the banner was in fact a TDP member. The issue was widely discussed on social media throughout the week even though the programme took place on Wednesday. Amidst the uproar, C. Singaiah got buried without much attention. Over the weekend, video clips went viral showing Singaiah coming under the wheels of Jagan’s car which led to a case against him.
According to Guntur district police, permission was given only for Jagan’s convoy and three other vehicles. And they had noticed an injured person who was taken to a hospital but was declared brought dead.
“After analysing various video footages, CCTV footages, drone visuals, circumstantial witnesses about the incident, it was found that the deceased was seen under the wheels of Ex CM vehicle…,” according to the official release of Guntur police. A case has been registered against Jagan as well as the car’s driver and others in the car.
On Monday, Jagan look to X and put out a lengthy post where he accused CM Chandrababu Naidu’s government of curtailing his movements and not making enough arrangements for his official trips.
He questioned why there were restrictions to his movements when he did not enforce such measures on opposition leaders when he was then CM. He said that though he is entitled to Z plus security, the same was not provided by the state government. He said that as former CM, the state should arrange for rope parties and pilot vehicles as protocol and sought to know why the government not be held responsible when such accidents occur. He said that as soon as the party leaders learnt about the death they reached out to the family and extended financial help.
Home Minister V Anitha said that Jagan was provided with the required security including a bullet-proof car which he doesn’t use.
Meanwhile, Congress President YS Sharmila blamed Jagan for the incident and demanded an apology to the family members of Singaiah.