Known for his loose tongue and inappropriate behaviour, Andhra Pradesh agriculture minister Minister K Achchennaidu on Thursday hurled abuses at YSR Congress party president and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy for continuing to abstain from the assembly.
Launching a scathing attack on the YSRCP chief, Atchennaidu said Jagan deserved a tight slap for demanding recognition as the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly.
“Chempa pagula gottali (He will be given a slap on his cheek) for making such a demand,” he said.
Atchenna ridiculed that when a party with just 11 seats seeks Opposition status, “its arrogance must be crushed.”
He further argued that just as it is wrong for a defeated leader to occupy a seat in the assembly, it is equally wrong for Jagan to insist on Opposition status.
On the issue of YSRCP MLAs’ disqualification, Achchennaidu clarified that the assembly would debate it and the speaker would take a decision, since it falls under his jurisdiction.
He advised Jagan to stop insisting on Opposition status and instead attend the assembly to discuss public issues.
Meanwhile, state legislative council chief whip Panchumarthi Anuradha also came down heavily on YSRCP leaders.
She alleged that Jagan and his party had pushed the state into a debt trap and sarcastically remarked that they should “jump into a well.” She said Jagan should jump into a well for failing to complete the Polavaram project.
She accused YSRCP MLCs of asking “nonsensical questions” in the council and then fleeing without listening to replies.
Taking a swipe at Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, she said even someone who couldn’t win as a ward member was now criticizing the coalition government.
She warned that YSRCP leaders must stop making “silly criticisms” from outside and instead attend the House to speak responsibly.