Andhra CM shooting remark: Jaganmohan Reddy accused of 'provoking enmity'

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 6 (ANI): Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) President Jaganmohan Reddy has been accused by the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of provoking enmity, through his latest remark on 'shooting Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in the middle of the road'. Drawing upon Section 125 of the Representation of People's Act, 1951, Reddy, who has been in the news for such inflammatory statements in the past as well, is facing flak from the State Election Commission as well, apart from the state government and TDP cadets, sources state. Apart from this, he is already facing a host of corruption and quid pro quo charges in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court. According to sources, Jagan is under the scanner for his latest remark on Naidu, and legal action will be taken in the due course of time, regarding which a three-way consultation between the lawyers, party and the government is underway. Adding to the plethora of charges against him, an official complaint was also filed against Jagan by the Local Returning Officer of Kurnool District by the local TDP leaders. As per the Representation of People's Act, Section-125, if anyone is trying to provoke enmity between two different groups during elections based on caste, religion, community, group, language, he or she is prone to punishment of up to three years imprisonment or fine or both. As per Indian Penal Code Section 107 - helping in crime, provoking or supporting crime, involving in conspiracy or supporting conspiracy is also considered as crime. Any person who in connection with election under the aforementioned Act promotes or attempts to promote on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, feeing of enmity or hatred, between different classes of the citizens of India shall be punishable, with imprisonment for a term which may extent to three years or with fine or with both. Furthermore, Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provides that an individual who instigates another individual to do a task, engages with one or more other person or persons in any conspiracy or the doing of that thing, if an act or illegal omission takes place in pursuance of that conspiracy, and in order to the doing of the thing; or intentionally aids, by any act or illegal omission, the doing of that thing, is also prone to legal action. On Friday, during his campaign at Nandyal, Jagan spewed an absolute shocker when he said people like CM Naidu should be shot in public. Addressing a crowd in Nandyal town, ahead of the bye-elections, Jagan said, "A person like Chandrababu Naidu should be shot in public for his double speak and unending deeds of corruption." Condemning his 'vulgar' behavior, TDP leader CM Ramesh said the leader is 'unfit for politics', and should be barred from elections. "We are meeting the Chief Election Commissioner of India on Tuesday. Not only do we want a case, we want him to be barred from elections itself. He is unfit for politics; he should quit and resume his business," Ramesh told ANI. "The whole party is filled with goons; there is not one suitable candidate. The public is giving representation and several FIRs have been filed. But I don't think he cares about all this. There is no limit, he can attack anyone. We will do everything to counter this and ensure action is taken, even if that means we have to approach the Home Ministry," he added. Nandyal is a constituency in the state's Rayalaseema area that has been witnessing a political void ever since the death of its sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy from a heart attack on March 12 this year. While TDP has named Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy as its candidate, the YSRCP has named Silpa Mohan Reddy as its nominee. Other parties, including the Congress, are also planning to field candidates. The Election Commission announced that the election will be held on August 23. The last date of nomination is August 5, and the inspection of nomination will be done on August 7 and last date of withdrawal of candidates is August 9. The counting of votes will be held on August 28. (ANI)