Jagan Mohan Reddy condemns attack on former MLA Prasanna Kumar; blames TDP for orchestrating violence

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly condemned the alleged attack on former MLA Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy, accusing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of unleashing a wave of political violence across Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Mr. Jagan said the TDP regime has become synonymous with lawlessness, citing that it has led to three murders, six attempted murders and twelve assaults in a short span. Referring to the latest incident as a “murder attempt,” Mr. Jagan said TDP-affiliated goons stormed the residence of Prasanna Kumar Reddy in Kovuru, SPSR Nellore district, creating havoc and terrifying even his elderly mother.

Mr. Jagan expressed grave concern over the nature of the attack, stating that it was carried out with the clear intent to eliminate a senior political figure, who had served six terms as MLA. He alleged that the attack happened in the presence of the police, raising serious questions about law enforcement under the current administration.

Calling it an “unprecedented political attack,” Mr. Jagan said such targeted violence against a prominent leader is unheard of in Telugu States. He accused the  Chief Minister of “orchestrating such attacks” through his party’s rowdy elements, describing him as someone who “derives sadistic pleasure” from the unrest.

He further alleged that the attack was deliberately timed to divert public attention away from Jagan’s visit to cyclone-hit mango farmers in Chittoor district. “This was a calculated conspiracy to ensure that my tour and the issues of the people are completely overshadowed by manufactured political drama,” he claimed.

Mr. Jagan issued a stern warning to the TDP, asserting that violence and political vendettas cannot suppress the voice of the Opposition. “You cannot silence us through intimidation and orchestrated attacks. The people will see through this,” he added.