Jagan Mohan Reddy Criticised for Using Movie Rhetoric in Politics
Instead of focusing on how to win back the people who have distanced themselves from him, YSRCP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy seems more focused on how to scare them further — how to make sure they never even accidentally look back toward the YSRCP. Observing his recent behavior over the past few days, this impression is natural for anyone. Movies are meant to entertain audiences. But politics isn’t the same, is it? When people place their trust and give someone power, it’s meant to govern in a way that benefits them — to steer the state on a path of progress. Instead, why is Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is a former Chief Minister and current party president, repeatedly using film dialogues? What’s the point of that? People are questioning why the censor board allowed this. Supporters are defending Jagan by saying actors like Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna say far worse dialogues in movies. But even then, nowhere — not in the film Pushpa 2, nor on the placards shown during Jagan’s tour — was the line, “Once YSRCP comes to power in 2029, we’ll behead people like in the Gangamma Jathara” actually said. People give power to govern, not to behead the public.
Jagan is conveniently leaving out the fact that it was his party workers who added such inflammatory content to the film dialogues and placards, and instead he defends himself by saying, “What’s wrong in using movie dialogues? Will you even file cases for this?” But the actual additions made by YSRCP workers are being ignored. On another note, Jagan recently invited the wife of Singayya — who died after being run over by a car — to his residence and spoke with her. This too sparked a political storm. Normally, leaders go to the victim's house to console them. But Jagan’s approach — calling the grieving woman to his residence — is seen as a “unique” move in politics. A key issue here is that a case is already pending in the High Court regarding this very incident. In such a situation, summoning the victim’s wife to his house has triggered criticism. Many YSRCP leaders themselves admit that these actions are only harming the party politically and serving no real purpose.
If the alliance government tries to obstruct Jagan’s political tours, that could be conveyed to the public. Just like the TDP, he doesn’t lack media support either. At the same time, he could also expose the failures of the alliance government. However, there is growing discussion even among YSRCP leaders that Jagan is ignoring the real issues he should be focusing on, and is instead getting distracted by unnecessary matters. There is a fear within the party that if Jagan continues in this manner in the coming days, it will cause serious political damage. However, according to a senior party leader, Jagan Mohan Reddy seems to be convincing himself that if he waits just three and a half more years, power will return to him again.
