YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s open support for provocative slogans such as “butchering of rivals – rappa, rappa,” raised by his party supporters, has sparked widespread debate in political and media circles.
While many YSRCP leaders describe this as an “aggressive approach,” others see it as a misguided strategy that could instill fear among the public.
“Instead of focusing on reconnecting with the people he has lost touch with, Jagan Mohan Reddy appears more interested in intimidating the electorate, potentially creating a climate of fear should he return to power,” said a political analyst.
Jagan has argued that if such violent dialogues are acceptable in films, there should be no objection to his party workers chanting them publicly.
He pointed out that the censor board cleared these lines and claimed that actors like Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna have delivered even more extreme lines on screen.
“But politics is not cinema,” the analyst countered. “Films are meant for entertainment. Governance, on the other hand, is about public trust, accountability, and development.”
Slogans allegedly raised during Jagan’s tour, such as “In 2029, when YSRCP returns to power, we will chop off heads at Gangamma Thalli Jatara,” have no precedent in any movie dialogue. “People elect leaders to govern, not to ‘chop heads,’” the analyst added.
Critics argue that Jagan conveniently blamed the movie dialogue while ignoring the dangerous additions made by his party workers.
Another controversy arose when Jagan summoned the wife of Singayya — a man who died after being run over by a vehicle in Jagan’s convoy — to his residence.
Traditionally, leaders visit the bereaved; summoning a grieving family member to one’s home is seen as politically inappropriate.
The move drew more criticism as the incident remains under judicial review in the high court. Even some YSRCP leaders privately admit that such actions are politically harmful rather than helpful.
Party insiders believe that instead of highlighting the failures of the ruling alliance or engaging with the public meaningfully, Jagan is wasting his energy on divisive and irrelevant issues.