Chandrababu Naidu accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of reversing his stand on the CEC selection process. The clash has sharpened debate over electoral trust and alleged political patronage of crime.
N Chandrababu Naidu also criticised YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's recent comments that the arrest of CJP leaders would not solve anything.
Amaravati,Oct 19, 2026 16:47 IST
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday accused YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of opposing the Chief Election Commissioner because the poll body did not act according to his wishes, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Naidu's remarks came a day after the former chief minister said he regretted supporting the 2023 legislation governing the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner when his party was in power in Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Undavalli, Naidu said, "Earlier you supported the CEC appointment procedure, but now, since the Election Commission does not do what you say, you oppose it. Now you are saying Gen Z... Gen Z."
According to PTI, Naidu also criticised Reddy's recent comments that the arrest of CJP leaders would not solve anything and that "trust in the electoral process" must be restored. The chief minister said he did not understand the reasoning behind Reddy's approach.
Naidu claimed that people with emotions and aspirations were being misled and described it as the "work of the YSRCP".
"They will encourage a person to commit a crime, then secure his release and encourage him to commit a bigger crime. Over time, he will be turned into a big criminal. That is their sign," he alleged, referring to the YSRCP.
Naidu called for "this culture to go away", saying it would become a problem when political parties supported such practices.
"You have seen me for 45 years. I do not allow any rowdy to approach me or sit with me. I have character and practise values-based politics," Naidu said.
Naidu's comments centred on Reddy's changed position on the Chief Election Commissioner's selection process, trust in elections and his allegations about the political patronage of crime.
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