Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, has come under scrutiny for allegedly overspending on snacks while serving as the CM of the state. The TDP, which is in power, and the YSRCP are making heated exchanges against each other over the costs that Reddy’s administration has expended on snacks.
According to the TDP, over the previous five years, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) allegedly spent an extraordinary amount of Rs 3.62 crores on egg puffs. According to reports, the CMO spent an average of Rs 72 lakhs a year on these snacks, which equates to 993 egg puffs eaten every day. This further amounts to 18 lakh egg puffs consumed throughout the course of the five-year span.
These disclosures have raised severe questions regarding possible government money misappropriation under Reddy’s leadership.
The issue arose when the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government opened a comprehensive probe into the financial irregularities of the previous government. The “Egg Puff Scandal” has only made the state’s political unrest worse. Several scandals under Jagan’s leadership had already sparked debates, such as the disproportionate amount of money spent on his security, the building of Rushikonda Palace, and the use of exclusive aircraft and helicopters for private use.
The CMO reportedly spent ₹3.62 crore on egg puffs over the last five years, averaging ₹72 lakh per year.
— Kolly Censor (@KollyCensor) August 20, 2024
The report states that the CMO consumed 993 egg puffs daily, totaling 18 lakh egg puffs in five years. #YSJagan #YSRCP pic.twitter.com/82PRilmciU
Meanwhile, supporters of the YSRCP declared that the TDP was purposefully trying to damage Jagan’s and the party’s credibility with the “egg puff scandal.” Supporters of the YSRCP called the most recent controversy “fake news” and said that, between 2014 and 2019, the previous TDP administration had spent Rs 8.5 crore on snacks for former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh.
థూ.. మీరూ మీ బతుకులు . ఇంత దిగజారుడు తనమా? ఎంగిలి బిస్కెట్లకు ఆశపడి ఇలాంటి పనికిమాలిన ప్రచారం చేస్తారా? మీది జర్నలిజమా? బ్రోకరిజమా?
— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) August 20, 2024
మీకు దమ్ము ధైర్యం ఉంటే నిరూపించండి. లేదా తప్పుడు సమాచారం ఇచ్చినందుకు ప్రజలకు క్షమాపణ చెప్పండి. https://t.co/KMp56D6KKS pic.twitter.com/TX7iwaG53v
In a quick response, the TDP labeled the YSRCP’s accusations as fraudulent with no foundation. The TDP’s social media division refuted the allegations on many platforms, charging that the YSRCP was disseminating false information to divert attention away from the true problem—that is, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s purported mishandling of finances.