Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu referred to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Jagan Mohan Reddy as “Kansa Mama” during a press conference on Saturday. This comment followed reports that Jagan allegedly denied permission for his niece’s wedding to take place at the family estate in Bengaluru.

Naidu’s remarks were pointed and personal, as he accused Jagan of instigating unrest in various regions of Andhra Pradesh ahead of the upcoming local body elections. During the press conference, Naidu claimed that Jagan had treated his mother and sister, YS Sharmila, unfairly in relation to property disputes.

He expressed concern over Jagan’s decision to prevent Sharmila from using the family’s Yelahanka Palace for her daughter’s wedding, asserting that she was entitled to a share of the property. By drawing a parallel to Kansa, the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna who sought to harm him, Naidu labelled Jagan as possessing a “dangerous mindset” and accused him of engaging in destructive politics.

Wedding Controversy Involving Reddy’s Niece

The dispute surrounding Jagan Reddy’s niece’s wedding has garnered significant attention. Reports indicate that Sharmila, who leads the Andhra Pradesh Congress, wished to hold her daughter YS Anjili Reddy’s wedding at the family’s expansive Yelahanka Palace in Bengaluru. The wedding is scheduled for November 25, following Anjili’s engagement last month.

However, Jagan reportedly communicated through their mother that he would not allow the ceremony to take place at the palace, citing security and privacy concerns. Attempts by Sharmila to persuade Jagan through family members were unsuccessful, leading her to seek an alternative venue in Bengaluru. This situation has reignited discussions about the ongoing discord between the siblings regarding family properties.

The unresolved division of family assets following the untimely death of then Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash in 2009 has contributed to the strained relationship. Tensions escalated further after Jagan assumed the role of Chief Minister in 2019. Subsequently, Sharmila established a political party in Telangana before joining the Congress in 2024.

Naidu’s Allegations Against YSRCP

In addition to his comments on the wedding issue, Naidu accused the YSRCP of orchestrating violence and intimidating candidates during the local body election process. He presented videos during the press conference, allegedly showing attacks on candidates and incidents of violence in various locations.

These include Punganur, Rayachoti, Kanigiri, Darsi, Kadapa, Thamballapalle, and Tirupati. Naidu further alleged that “groups from Punjab” were brought into Andhra Pradesh to intimidate voters. He claimed that nomination papers were forcibly taken at the Kanigiri centre and that the Jana Sena office was attacked in Thamballapalle.

While these allegations have not been independently verified, several candidates have reported being obstructed from filing their nomination papers. In response, the YSRCP accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of misusing official resources and police to intimidate opposition candidates. The YSRCP has called for the imposition of President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh.

Also, it has requested the deployment of central forces to ensure free and fair local body elections. The situation escalated to the Supreme Court, prompting the Andhra Pradesh Election Commission to announce a revised election schedule. Elections for 100 urban local bodies, including 13 municipal corporations, are set for November 1, with vote counting scheduled for November 3.

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