Election strategist-turned-JD(U)-vice-president Prashant Kishor was called 'Bihari dacoit' by Andhra Pradesh CM and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu.
Naidu accused K Chandrashekar Rao of doing criminal politics by grabbing the MLAs of Congress and TDP. He then added that Bihari dacoit Prasant Kishor has removed lakhs of votes in Andhra Pradesh. However, in reality, the removal or addition of voters is the Election Commission's job and is beyond the reach of a private individual.
Naidu further questioned the "law and order situation in Bihar" and likened Biharis to cybercriminals.
The event has stirred up a big political controversy in the run-up to parliamentary elections.
At the time of formally entering politics and JD(U), Kishor will no longer be doing what he was doing earlier as an election strategist for leaders across the political spectrum. However, he had also clearly stated that he was committed to finishing his pre-assigned task of advising YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy for Andhra Pradesh Assembly and parliamentary elections.
Assembly Elections in the state are going to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections on 11th April 2019. Kishor continues to be a poll strategist for YSRCP.
Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP is potential competition for Naidu's TDP.
There were reports circulating that Reddy has an edge over Naidu in coming elections. Kishor reacted on Twitter by saying:
By calling Kishor a 'Bihari dacoit' and making adverse remarks about 'Biharis', Naidu has handed easy ammunition to the BJP and JD(U) to target the 'mahagathbandhan' to raise the heat in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.