*YSRCP slams Naidu, denies role in Dastagiri murder*

Pulivendula, April 21: Former MLA Ravindranath Reddy criticised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that he was resorting to “Goebbels-style propaganda” and trying to link the YSRCP to the murder of Pedda Dastagiri without any basis.

Speaking to the media at the YSRCP office in Pulivendula, he said there was no connection between the party and the murder, and asserted that there was no political angle to the incident. He stated that Dastagiri was only a sympathiser of the party and a soft-spoken real estate broker, adding that those responsible for the crime should be identified and punished strictly.

Ravindranath Reddy alleged that attempts were being made over the past two days to falsely implicate YSRCP leaders in the case. He said there was no known conflict between Dastagiri and Kadapa Deputy Mayor Nityananda Reddy, and questioned why certain names were being dragged into the issue. He maintained that the party would never engage in acts that harm itself and insisted that the investigation should remain impartial.

He further said that both YS Rajasekhara Reddy and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had never encouraged violence or factional politics, recalling that efforts were made in the past to promote reconciliation and peace.

Accusing Chandrababu Naidu of repeatedly targeting YSRCP through media narratives, he said that incidents in the state were being unfairly attributed to the party. He also cautioned officials against becoming tools in political conspiracies and advised them to act based on facts.