Naidu’s publicity mania led to Andhra stampede that killed eight people, says CM Jagan

Police said changing the venue to a narrow space and people jostling with one another for taking photos might have led to tragedy.

BySNV Sudhir

Published Dec 30, 2022 | 6:57 PMUpdatedDec 30, 2022 | 6:58 PM

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched several development works at Joginathunipalem in Anakapalle on Friday. (Supplied)

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a broadside against Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, 30 December, two days after eight people were killed during the latter’s roadshow.

The former chief minister, Naidu was addressing a roadshow at Kandukur in Andhra Pradesh when a few people, including the deceased, fell into an open drain following a stampede-like situation on Wednesday, 28 December, night.

In a no-holds-barred attack, Jagan said Naidu’s ‘publicity mania’ had led to the tragedy.

“Naidu killed eight people for his political benefits. It is so heinous and shameful. Politics is not about drone shots; it is about bringing fundamental changes to the lives of people,” the chief minister said at Joginathunipalem in the Anakapalle district, while launching a slew of development projects.

Photoshoot in narrow space

Jagan alleged that Naidu forced people into a narrow lane to aid photoshoots and drone shots. “It was to show that his roadshows are drawing huge crowds,” the YSRCP president said.

The chief minister claimed that Naidu had done a similar act during the Godavari Pushkaralu where 29 people were killed in 2015.

“He was (then) engaged in a shooting with a Tollywood director during Godavari pushkaralu that led to the stampede. This is not new for him. He only cares about his publicity,” Jagan thundered.

The chief minister sought to know why people should attend Naidu’s rallies. “To thank you for your failures? The only two things which people will remember about TDP and you are vennupotu (back-stabbing people) and deception.”

“Chandrababu is known for cheating the sisters of DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) of ₹14,204 crore. He is remembered for sacrificing special category status for his benefit. He is known for cheating the youth by not giving them jobs and not fulfilling the promise of providing ₹2,000 monthly assistance,” Jagan said.

The chief minister said that Naidu’s regime has been remembered for corruption and failure to provide education. “People should not forget the words of Chandrababu Naidu that he would cut the tails of SCs. This is idhem karma, this is idhem karma, Babu,” he mocked the Opposition Leader.

Also read: Ex gratia for next of kin of the deceased

Police blame change in venue

A preliminary inquiry into the Kandukur tragedy indicated that the incident occurred since the roadshow was held at a different and narrow location. The police had earlier granted permission to hold the event at a different location.

Guntur range DIG CM Trivikram Varma said that an officer in the rank of DSP will probe the incident. A case under Section 174 of the CrPC (Unnatural death) was booked based on a complaint by an injured person identified only by his first name, Pichaiah.

Nellore SP Ch Vijay Rao who visited the scene found at least 10 violations, such as bursting of crackers without permission, organising the roadshow late than scheduled, holding the event at a different location, etc.

He added that people jostling with one another to click pictures had led to a stampede.

Naidu identifies victims by caste

The YSRCP had also accused Naidu of identifying the deceased by their castes at another roadshow in Kavali the next day.

Speaking at the Kavali roadshow, Naidu said: “Four of them (the deceased) are SCs. Two belong to the Madiga community, and two are from the Mala community. A deceased woman belonged to the Yanadi community, a man from BC, the Viswabrahman community, and two other castes, too, died in the Kandukur tragedy.”

Slamming Naidu, Social Welfare Minister Merugu Nagarjuna asked: “Chandrababu Naidu, how many times will you use the caste of people for politics?”

“You sacrificed people’s lives for your publicity. You are responsible for those eight deaths. For you everything is politics. After using people for publicity, now Chandrababu Naidu is blaming the dead people for not maintaining discipline.  Chandrababu Naidu doesn’t feel guilt or repentance. It is very shameful,” he said.

₹986 crore development works launched

Jagan laid the foundation stone for a medical college and other developmental works worth ₹986 crore at Joginathunipalem on Friday.

He unveiled the plaques of ₹470-crore Yeleru and Tandava canals link project, ₹500-crore Government Medical College to be built on 52.15 acres at Narsipatnam and ₹16.60-crore road-widening works on Narsipatnam highway.

Later, addressing a large gathering he said that the North Andhra region, neglected by the previous TDP regime, will now march ahead with other areas on the development front.

He said that the new medical college coming up with an annual admission capacity of 100 seats and the affiliated Nursing College with the same capacity, will cater to the growing health and medical needs of the surrounding areas.

People who used to go to Visakhapatnam for medical treatment during the TDP rule will heave a sigh of relief once the construction of the medical college with a 630-bed capacity is completed, he said, adding that it would also change Narsipatnam and surrounding areas.

He asked people to visualiae the development and other facilities that would be available in the health sector when the medical colleges at Narsipatnam, Paderu, Parvatipuram and Vizianagaram would become operational.

Announcing that a Tribal University would also be established, the chief minister said he was proud to launch various developmental works and hoped he would be able to roll out more in future with people’s cooperation and God’s grace.