First it was Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday to talk about “folding the chair” to attack the YSR Congress party government led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On Friday, it was picked up by Naidu’s son and party general secretary Nara Lokesh during his “Sankharavam” public meeting.
Apparently it was scripted by the TDP’s strategy team based on the controversial dialogue used in a popular song from the film “Guntur Kaaram” starring Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu.
Lokesh said the TDP and Jana Sena activists are prepared to "fold their chairs" (Kurchi Madathapetti) to ensure that AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy loses his seat of power.
Both the father and son were responding to Jagan Reddy's comments urging his party cadre to "roll up their sleeves" and prepare for a fight.
“The TDP and Jana Sena workers are ready to "fold their chairs" and teach a lesson to the current CM,” he said.
Not only that, he even picked up a chair and folded it on the street to demonstrate the gesture in public.
Obviously, Lokesh’s gestures and his Kurchi Madathapetti talk did not go down well with the public, who trolled him heavily on social media.
“Folding chair doesn’t mean literally folding a chair. It has a vulgar connotation,” a netizen commented.
Another netizen observed that instead of making such ugly gestures, it would be better if the TDP leader focussed on selection of right candidates.
“The party is not able to decide on whom to field in the elections, though elections are less than two months away,” he observed.
The YSRCP leaders also countered Lokesh and Naidu with pungent retort.
“First, see that you will not roll your tongue, Babu Lokesh; you can talk about Kurchi later,” retorted YSRCP leader and irrigation minister Ambati Rambabu.
He said Jagan had occupied “Simhasanam,” not an ordinary chair. “You cannot fold it,” Ambati commented.
Senior YSRCP legislator Malladi Vishnu also lashed out at Naidu and Lokesh for talking about “folding chairs.”
“It clearly shows their criminal bent of mind. They are talking about violence and destruction,” he criticised.