Amaravati, Aug 13 (NationPress) The AICC in-charge for Andhra Pradesh, Manickam Tagore, responded fiercely to former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who claimed that the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has a direct hotline with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Tagore emphasized that the residents of Andhra Pradesh are aware of the connections among Chandrababu Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jagan, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

He further challenged Jagan, stating that unlike him, Rahul Gandhi has not submitted to the pressures of PM Modi and HM Shah. Tagore urged Jagan to join the Congress party in their struggle against ‘vote chori’. Instead of acknowledging Rahul Gandhi's efforts to safeguard democracy, Jagan is weaving his own fictitious narratives.

During a press conference in Amaravati, Jagan dismissed any support for Congress's campaign against ‘vote chori’.

He questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence regarding the ‘vote chori’ claims made by YSRCP following last year's elections and accused Chandrababu Naidu of communicating with Rahul Gandhi via Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

“Why didn’t he join us when we raised a similar concern after the 2024 elections, where there was a discrepancy of 12 percent between the votes cast and those counted?” Jagan queried.

The YSRCP leader also criticized Rahul Gandhi for his silence on the alleged corruption within the TDP-led coalition government. “Congress spokesperson Manickam Tagore only targets me, as if Chandrababu Naidu maintains a hotline to Rahul Gandhi. How can he ignore the corruption rampant in the coalition government, with the rise of belt shops, permit rooms, and liquor being sold above MRP?” he challenged.

In a video statement shared on ‘X’, Tagore asserted that Rahul Gandhi fights not solely for Congress, but for the preservation of democracy.

“He has not yielded to (Amit) Shah and is not intimidated by Modi like Jagan is. We are on a mission against HM Shah and PM Modi to defend India's democratic rights,” the Congress MP stated.

He claimed that Amit Shah orchestrated manipulations in 39 to 48 Lok Sabha constituencies with the Election Commissioners.

Tagore noted that Rahul Gandhi is embarking on a yatra in Bihar addressing the SIR issue to safeguard citizens’ voting rights.

“Jagan should at least show the courtesy to recognize and commend Rahul Gandhi for his efforts instead of fabricating stories about Babu and others,” he advised.

Tagore dared Jagan to stand up against Modi and Shah by joining the march led by state Congress president Y. S. Sharmila on August 14 in Vijayawada.

In response, Andhra Pradesh Minister and TDP General Secretary also addressed Jagan’s comments, asserting that their genuine ‘hotline’ is with the people of Andhra Pradesh.

“Forget your excuses of ‘vote chori’ — you were ousted because the public was fed up with your ‘note chori’ amid scams. You know exactly what I’m referring to,” posted Lokesh, son of Chandrababu Naidu.

Your unfounded efforts to mislead will not succeed. Our double-engine government is committed to progress, and under the leadership of Modi and Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh will once again rise to the forefront,” he added.