VIJAYAWADA: Barely a fortnight after

backed the

in Parliament over abrogation of provisions of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit opened a front against chief minister and YSRCP supremo

, calling him ‘

’.

Using its official Twitter handle, BJP’s state unit claimed that Jagan did not light a ceremonial lamp during a function in the US on Wednesday and added that the CM had been “fooling Hindus for votes”. The CMO hit back saying there was no lamp-lighting at the event and that just an electric light was lit.

seeking investments for Andhra Pradesh.

The BJP attack came even as YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy said on Wednesday that Jagan had been taking important decisions after consulting Modi and Amit Shah. He was referring to decisions such as cancellation of Polavaram dam contract and review of power purchase agreements.

In support of its claim that Jagan refused to light the lamp, BJP posted a video clip in which Jagan is seen stretching his hands at the lamp stand with a smile. He then walks away while one of the organisers lights the lamp. The function was organised in Dallas by Telugu NRIs.

BJP’s tweet reads: “Jaganmoahn Reddy refused to light the lamp before inaugurating a program in the US. He just fooled AP Hindus for votes by visiting temples. He was a Hindu for votes, like RaGa (Rahul Gandhi).”

The tweet also alleged that the “script was well written by poll strategist Prashant Kishor. Bengal can learn now”. BJP was referring to Kishor’s I-PAC helping Jagan win the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh. I-PAC is now helping Mamata Banerjee in the assembly elections in West Bengal.

Fire prohibited in the US hall, says AP CMO

BJP MP CM Ramesh came up with a tweet stating that CM’s refusal to light the lamp was an insult to Hindus. As the video went viral, the CMO ridiculed BJP’s tweet and comments. The CMO said that lighting the lamp was only a ceremonial act. “There was no light and no fire. It was an electric light resembling ceremonial light,” the CMO said. It said the CM was asked to pretend as if he was lighting the lamp. “Lights and fire are prohibited in hall as part of fire safety measures. Hence organisers used electric light,” the CMO said.

“If government statement is to be believed and afire was not allowed at the event, then it is not good even to pose for photos. But if Jagan intentionally avoided lighting the lamp, then we take strong exception to it,” said BJP AP vice-president Turaga Nagabhushanam. YSRCP spokesperson Ambati Rambabu accused BJP leaders of desperately trying to show that they have some presence in AP.