A survey conducted by Centre for National Opinion Survey (CNOS) that showed Andhra Pradesh chief minster Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy at sixth position from the bottom with regard to the popularity of the CMs in their respective states has triggered a war of words between Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress party.
Even as the TDP leaders are jubilant over the survey stating that the popularity graph of Jagan has fallen drastically, YSRC has shot back saying it was a fabricated survey conducted by a paid worker of the TDP.
“It is a bogus survey and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu is called Bogus Babu. The fact is that Jagan Mohan Reddy is No. 1 chief minister in the country and has the highest popularity among the voters, as is evident from all the elections held so far,” firebrand YSRC leader and state tourism minister R K Roja said.
She wondered how Uddhav Thackeray who had lost his CM post 10 days ago could be at the top 5 position and how Jagan, who had been implementing welfare schemes without any hassles could be at the bottom.
“It clearly shows the survey was sponsored by the TDP. It appears Naidu has lost his mental balance. Very soon, he may have to be admitted in mental hospital,” Roja said.
YSRC in-charge in Kuppam assembly constituency K R G Bharat challenged Naidu that if the latter really believed the CNOS report, he should resign from his assembly seat and contest the by-elections from Kuppam.
“It is an open challenge. I don’t mind even if Naidu’s son Lokesh contests from Kuppam,” he said.
Former minister and YSRC leader from Gudivada Kodali Nani also threw a similar challenge to Naidu and Lokesh.
“After seeing the massive success of the YSRC plenary, it is pretty evident how much popularity Jagan has. It is ridiculous on the part of Naidu to say that the CM has 20th rank in the country,” he said.