VIJAYAWADA, May 12: Bharatiya Janata Party SC Morcha state president Panatala Suresh on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks made by former minister Perni Nani against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an unconditional public apology from YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and warning that the party's continued resort to ridicule politics would cost it dearly in future elections.

Speaking to the media, Suresh said that Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Telangana had been devoted to launching development schemes worth thousands of crores of rupees, carrying a clear message of inclusive national progress. He noted that the Prime Minister's counsel to citizens on reducing cooking oil consumption, conserving petrol and controlling pollution had struck a chord with the public.

"Sarcasm Politics" Condemned

Suresh accused YSRCP leaders of deliberately sidestepping substantive development discourse in favour of mockery and personal attacks. He specifically took strong exception to the remarks directed at the Prime Minister by Perni Nani, alleging that leaders who had lost public standing were resorting to such statements purely for publicity.

He challenged Jagan Mohan Reddy to hold a press conference and criticise the Prime Minister's policies directly, rather than doing so through proxies. "If you have the conviction, face the media and make your case," he said.

From Chaiwala to National Leader

Suresh drew a pointed contrast between Prime Minister Modi, who he described as a leader who rose from humble origins as a tea seller to understand the struggles of ordinary citizens, and those who entered politics through dynastic privilege. Perni Nani, he said, must immediately retract his remarks and tender an apology or face the consequences of public opinion.

Centre's Largesse to AP Cited

Suresh also highlighted the central government's allocation of lakhs of crores of rupees for the development of Andhra Pradesh and Amaravati, arguing that YSRCP's sarcastic posturing was a disservice to a state that stood to benefit enormously from the BJP-led government at the Centre. He warned that if the party persisted with such an approach, it risked failing to win even 11 seats in the forthcoming elections.