Anushka Rajvedi, Pune
YSRCP leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was tagged as ‘Pablo Escobar of Andhra Pradesh’ by the current Chief Minister of the state, N Chandrababu Naidu.
On 25 July 2024, Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu juxtaposed the former CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to Pablo Escobar who was famously known as the ‘drug lord’ of Columbia, when he criticized the YSRCP government for their law and order and the threat that drugs have caused in the state in past few years. Naidu also stated that he was surprised to see the state in such a condition due to the free supply of drugs, especially Ganja (marijuana).
During the assembly meet, Chandrababu Naidu attacked Jagan Mohan Reddy by stating that since the past five years, Andhra Pradesh has seen an upsurge in the use and supply of Ganja and due to the frail law and order system, Andhra Pradesh has now emerged as the ‘Ganja capital’ since the year 2019 to 2024.
When Naidu compared Reddy to Pablo Escobar, he said that “one can become the richest person by selling drugs as well. You can become so by doing business, but what was the intention of the former Chief Minister? He thought people like Tata, Reliance and Adani had money and how can I (Reddy) earn more than them?” Naidu said that Pablo was considered as the ‘drug lord’ in Columbia. With his creation of ‘Medellin Cartel’, Escobar generated an income of $90 billion by setting up a corridor for selling drugs. By selling drugs illegally, Escobar became the richest ‘drug lord’ during the 1970’s and 1980’s. to achieve his goal, Pablo even killed politicians and leaders who tried to repel him. When Pablo was arrested in 1976, he was still considered as the ‘Columbian Drug Lord.’
Chandrababu Naidu said that to gain power and money, Jagan Mohan Reddy has converted the state of Andhra Pradesh into ‘Ganja Capital’ by allowing free supply of drugs that has caused a ruckus in the society. Naidu assures his citizens that he will trace down every criminal and will put a stop to this practice of drugs and make Andhra Pradesh a safe place to live in.