YSR Congress Party chief, Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday took oath as the second Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh since its bifurcation. The political journey of the businessman-turned-politician has indeed been meteoric. Governor ESL Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy at Vijayawada’s Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium at 12.23 pm.
The YSRCP got an absolute majority in 175-member strong Assembly. The party won 151 seats out of 175, whereas TDP’s strength was drastically reduced from 102 in the 2014 Assembly elections to a mere 23. YSRCP polled 49.9 per cent votes, while TDP got a 39.2 per cent vote share. One seat went to the Jana Sena Party led by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan.
Jagan entered the stadium in an open jeep with folded hands thanking people. YSRCP also bagged 22 Lok Sabha seats out of 25 in the state, while TDP could get only three seats.
Taking a jibe at Naidu, Jagan Mohan Reddy recently said, “The fate of Chandrababu Naidu proves that God will punish those who act without justice. Chandrababu had purchased and grabbed 23 MLAs and three MPs of YSRCP in 2014. But now in 2019, his party is left with 23 MLAs and three MPs. God alone can write such great script and do such a wonderful poetic justice.”
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and DMK president MK Stalin were present at the swearing in ceremony.