Naidu, Jagan criticize Congress protest at AI summit

Vijayawada: In a rare coincidence, the ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP responded on the same lines, criticising Congress for its recent ‘shirtless protest' at Bharath Mandap during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.Criticising the Congress for what he described as "inappropriate behaviour" during the summit, Naidu said "when the world is moving ahead in technology and youth interests need to be protected, such protests are a disgrace", adding that such acts damaged the country's image. Former chief minister and YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed a similar opinion. "Yesterday at the AI Summit, the Youth Congress made us all feel ashamed. Where is our politics heading! No one should ever demean our country. Whatever our political differences may be, we should always present a united face to the world," Jagan posted on X.However, Naidu also linked the issue to criticise YSRCP. He said the state suffered in the last five years under YSRCP rule as industrialists moved out, properties were mortgaged, and debts increased. Equating the political ideology of YSRCP with that of Congress, he said TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena fought the elections jointly against "anarchic governance, and people delivered a decisive verdict".He further alleged that adulterated ghee was used in the Tirumala laddu prasadam during the YSRCP regime, adding that SIT and NDDB reports confirmed that the material supplied was not real ghee. He reiterated that lab tests also detected traces of animal fat in the ghee purchased earlier.Accusing the previous govt of trying to shift the blame on Heritage to escape responsibility, he said devotees who visited Tirumala before 2024 noticed the deterioration in quality. The chief minister also criticised YSRCP's conduct in the legislative council, alleging that the party's MLCs carried Lord Venkateswara's photos with their shoes on.Naidu, who participated in the ‘Swachh Andhra-Swarna Andhra' programme held at Vinukonda in Palnadu district on Saturday, said the govt is making efforts to find more income-generating avenues for the poor and urged people to keep their city clean. He also interacted with party workers after the meeting.