The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Friday strongly denied allegations that it supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
YSRCP's Parliament leader Y.V. Subba Reddy dared the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to provide definitive evidence to back its charge of YSRCP's failure to oppose the bill.
In a formal statement, the YSRCP explained that a party whip was given, directing its MPs to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
The party referred to the official records of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which it claimed clearly indicate its opposition to the bill. Additionally, it cited Subba Reddy's speech in the Rajya Sabha as explicit evidence of its stance. The documented proceeding of both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha remain as clear testimonies to being against the Act. Moreover, the speech read by YSRCP MP Subba Reddy in Rajya Sabha remains further direct evidence about their stand," the statement declared.
Subba Reddy reaffirmed his challenge to the TDP, calling upon them to come up with factual evidence to support their allegations. He doubted their credibility, stating that they did not have the courage to back their accusations. He also called them out for consistently using misinformation to fuel their political platform.
To affirm its stand, the YSRCP distributed a photcopy of the whip issued to its Rajya Sabha MPs, instructing them to attend the vote and to vote against the bill.
With four MPs in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha, the YSRCP is headed by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy.
In a concurrent development, veteran YSRCP leader and ex-minister Merugu Nagarjuna severely criticized the TDP for supporting what he termed an 'unconstitutional' bill. He accused TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of isolating minority groups.
Nagarjuna proceeded to accuse Naidu of doing it on purpose to divert attention from urgent issues by raising baseless allegations of YSRCP's involvement. He rejected TDP's claim that no whip was issued and that YSRCP had voted for the bill as totally unfounded.
Carrying the whip out in the open, Nagarjuna emphasized, "YSRCP's opposition, spearheaded by Subba Reddy, was evident in Parliament." He also accused Naidu of using minorities for poll purposes and then abandoning them.
He condemned what he termed the TDP's "yellow gang" for spreading nefarious narratives online, and identified a pattern of dishonesty, including previous political betrayals and contradictory financial allegations. "From the NTR betrayal to exaggeration of debt figures (Rs 14 lakh crore pre-election, now Rs 10 lakh crore, vs the Centre's Rs 5.62 lakh crore)," Nagarjuna said, highlighting examples.
Reiterating YSRCP's resolve towards minority communities, Nagarjuna was assured that the people would catch up on Naidu's moves and render a befitting judgment. He ended by stating that efforts to tarnish Jagan Mohan Reddy's reputation would ultimately come to naught.
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