Anakapalli MP, YSRCP leader trade charges ahead of local body polls

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A war of words between Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh of the BJP and former Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Anakapalli district president Gudivada Amarnath has intensified political friction in the district ahead of the proposed local body elections.

At a recent meeting in Chodavaram, Mr. Ramesh took a dig at Mr. Amarnath’s political standing, referring to his earlier electoral contest from Gajuwaka. Comparing him to an invalid ₹1 coin, the MP questioned how a leader who was not accepted in Gajuwaka could gain acceptance in Anakapalli.

Mr. Ramesh also appealed to BJP cadre to work towards defeating the YSRCP in the local body elections.

In a sharp response, Mr. Amarnath questioned Mr. Ramesh’s political rise from a booth-level agent to a prominent leader. He alleged that the MP was involved in large-scale corruption and accused him of using money to secure the Anakapalli Lok Sabha seat.

Mr. Amarnath also criticised Mr. Ramesh’s political affiliations, alleging that he functioned as a BJP leader during the day and a TDP leader by the evening.

Emphasising his family’s longstanding political roots in the region, Mr. Amarnath said: “MPs will come and go, but I am a local,” borrowing a popular dialogue from a Telugu film to assert his local connect and political roots.

BJP leaders condemned Mr. Amarnath’s remarks against Mr. Ramesh and objected to the allegations levelled against the Anakapalli MP.

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