There is an old saying: if your words are good, people around you will also respond well. In politics, controlling one s words is even more important
There is an old saying: if your words are good, people around you will also respond well. In politics, controlling one’s words is even more important.
Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, who is generally known for maintaining a diplomatic style, has now landed in controversy after making strong remarks against former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Speaking in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Magunta reportedly used words such as “fool” while attacking Jagan. His comments immediately triggered sharp criticism, particularly from YSRCP supporters and sections of the Reddy community.
What surprised many is that Magunta has rarely been known for such aggressive personal attacks in the past.
Critics are also questioning his remark that people voted for Jagan only because he belonged to their community. Ironically, Magunta himself has traditionally enjoyed strong support from the Reddy community in Ongole.
The political history between Magunta and Jagan is also being recalled.
Magunta contested from Ongole on a TDP ticket in 2014 and lost. In 2019, he joined the YSRCP and won the Lok Sabha seat after Jagan gave him the ticket, overlooking sitting MP Y V Subba Reddy.
YSRCP supporters are now asking why Magunta chose to attack Jagan so harshly despite having benefited politically during his time in the party.
Magunta, a businessman and contractor by background, has always maintained cordial relations with governments in power.
During his tenure as a YSRCP MP, party leaders reportedly asked him to criticise Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP, but Magunta avoided doing so, saying such politics was not part of his family tradition.
He later cited similar political differences while leaving the YSRCP.
That is why his present language against Jagan has raised eyebrows.
The controversy has become even more interesting because Magunta had recently attended a wedding connected to Jagan’s family in Chennai.
Videos showing him interacting closely with Jagan had triggered speculation that he might return to the YSRCP.
Some political observers now believe that his strong remarks against Jagan may have been aimed at ending those rumours and reassuring Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh about his loyalty to the ruling camp. However, this remains political speculation.
YSRCP leaders, meanwhile, are warning that Magunta could face political consequences in Ongole.
In the last election, his margin over the YSRCP candidate was only around 50,000 votes. His opponents argue that this is not an unbeatable margin and that personal attacks could hurt him in the future.
Political victories and defeats are normal. But the present debate is more about the language used by a senior politician who was once known for restraint and dignity.
For Magunta, the bigger question now is whether he will clarify his remarks or apologise if he feels he crossed the line.
If he remains silent, the controversy may continue to follow him.
In politics, one careless sentence can sometimes cost more than an entire campaign.
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