Amaravati, October 22: The YSR Congress Party has approached the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC), seeking immediate action against the state Director General of Police (DGP) and Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen over alleged police bias and violence during the ongoing local body elections.
In a representation dated October 22, YSRCP State General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy urged the SEC to remove both senior police officers from election-related duties. The party also demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged obstruction of opposition candidates, a review of police transfer rules and an extension of nomination deadlines in areas affected by violence.
A copy of the representation was also submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
The complaint comes amid concerns over the nomination process for Andhra Pradesh’s local body elections. On October 21, the Supreme Court directed the SEC to examine complaints that candidates were prevented from filing nominations and to decide whether an extension was necessary in affected urban local bodies. The Court also directed the Commission to defer publication of the final candidate list until October 25.
YSRCP Demands Removal of Andhra Pradesh DGP
In its petition, the YSRCP alleged that the state police leadership had failed to ensure a fair and secure environment for candidates during the nomination process.
The party claimed that several candidates faced threats, physical obstruction and attacks while attempting to submit their nomination papers. It further alleged that police personnel failed to prevent these incidents despite directions from the State Election Commission.
The representation stated that more than 63.5% of YSRCP candidates were prevented from filing nominations across 19 urban local bodies, according to the party’s account.
The YSRCP asked the SEC to relieve the serving DGP of election-related responsibilities and appoint a neutral senior IPS officer to oversee election-related police arrangements.
The party also requested an independent investigation into the conduct of police officials and alleged violations of election-related instructions.
YSRCP Questions Police Transfer Rules
The representation raised concerns about the implementation of Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines on the transfer of police officers during elections.
According to the YSRCP, the relevant ECI instructions require the transfer of certain election-related officers who have served in the same district for three out of the previous four years or who are posted in their home districts, subject to the applicable rules.
The party alleged that these guidelines were not properly implemented for Circle Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors in Andhra Pradesh.
It also argued that the state government had relied on the Presidential Order issued under Article 371D to justify its approach to police transfers. The YSRCP maintained that transfers within the applicable zonal or multizonal framework could be considered to meet both administrative and election-related requirements.
The party has asked the SEC to obtain a district-wise list of officers who allegedly do not comply with the transfer norms and direct the authorities to take appropriate action.
YSRCP Seeks Transfer of Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen
The YSRCP has also sought the immediate transfer of Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen, an IPS officer of the 2009 batch.
The officer oversees police administration in Kurnool, Nandyal, YSR Kadapa and Annamayya districts.
In its representation, the party alleged that police administration in the range had shown bias in favour of the ruling political party. It claimed that changes made to police postings after the DIG assumed charge in July 2024 placed officers considered favourable to the ruling party in important positions.
These allegations have been raised by the YSRCP in its complaint and would require independent examination.
YSRCP Objects to DIG’s Earlier Public Remarks
The petition also referred to remarks allegedly made by DIG Koya Praveen on November 12, 2024, in connection with a social media case in Pulivendula.
According to the YSRCP, the officer made derogatory generalisations about opposition leaders and female members of their families. The party argued that such public statements by a serving IPS officer raised concerns about impartiality and professional conduct.
The YSRCP has asked the SEC to consider these remarks while examining whether the officer should continue to handle election-related responsibilities.
The representation also cited an Andhra Pradesh High Court case concerning activist Varra Ravindra Reddy. The party referred to the court’s criticism of the police over the recording of an arrest date that was reportedly contradicted by police station CCTV footage.
Nomination Violence Allegations in Kadapa, Rayachoti and Other Areas
The YSRCP’s representation described several incidents that it said disrupted the nomination process between October 16 and 18.
The party alleged that its candidates faced obstruction in multiple locations under the Kurnool Range and other parts of Andhra Pradesh.
The key allegations include:
- Kadapa: Nomination papers were allegedly snatched and torn in the presence of police personnel.
- Rayachoti and Rajampeta: Candidates were allegedly assaulted or physically prevented from reaching nomination centres.
- Mydukur: The party stated that the election process had to be postponed after nomination papers were allegedly destroyed.
- Tirupati: The YSRCP claimed that nine candidates were prevented from reaching the offices of Returning Officers and had submitted sworn affidavits concerning the incidents.
The party argued that these incidents undermined the ability of opposition candidates to participate in the elections on equal terms.
The YSRCP has asked the SEC to examine candidate affidavits, video recordings, CCTV footage and other available evidence to establish what happened at the affected locations.
YSRCP Refers to Supreme Court Directions on Local Body Elections
The petition relies on the Supreme Court’s October 21, 2026, order in Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party v. State of Andhra Pradesh and Others, SLP (C) No. 37476 of 2026.
The Court directed the SEC to examine complaints from the YSRCP and individual candidates, including supporting documentary and electronic evidence, and decide whether nomination deadlines should be extended in urban local bodies where candidates were unable to file papers because of law-and-order problems.
The Court also directed the Commission to defer publication of the final list of contesting candidates until October 25. If the SEC grants an extension, candidates must receive at least 48 additional hours from the announcement of the decision.
The Court further directed the police authorities to provide necessary protection to candidates, ensure adequate police deployment and arrange CCTV coverage at nomination centres.
The YSRCP has argued that these directions make it necessary for the SEC to act against any officials found responsible for failing to protect candidates or implement election-related instructions.
YSRCP Cites Constitutional Provisions and Legal Precedents
The party has invoked Articles 243ZA and 243K of the Constitution, which establish the State Election Commission’s authority over municipal and panchayat elections, respectively.
It also cited judicial precedents concerning election fairness, police accountability and protection against political interference.
The representation referred to Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner, Prakash Singh v. Union of India, D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal and other cases to support its demand for impartial policing and effective election supervision.
The YSRCP also pointed to the Election Commission of India’s transfers of senior Andhra Pradesh police officers during the 2024 general elections, arguing that similar action should be considered if necessary to protect neutrality during the current local polls.
YSRCP’s Key Demands to the State Election Commission
The party has asked the SEC to take the following steps:
- Remove the DGP from election duties: Appoint a neutral senior IPS officer to oversee election-related police arrangements.
- Transfer Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen: Relieve him of election responsibilities and transfer him out of the range.
- Order an independent inquiry: Investigate alleged nomination obstruction, police conduct and non-compliance with SEC instructions.
- Review records and CCTV footage: Examine video recordings and movement records from the October 21 Police Commemoration Day event at Mangalagiri, where the party alleged that the Chief Minister and Home Minister gave the DGP political instructions.
- Examine disciplinary action: Consider proceedings under the applicable service rules if misconduct is established.
- Audit police transfers: Obtain details of Circle Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors who allegedly do not meet the applicable transfer requirements.
- Extend nomination deadlines: Provide at least 48 additional hours in affected urban local bodies and enable candidates to submit papers through additional arrangements at District Collectorates.
- Deploy independent observers and security forces: Strengthen monitoring and security in sensitive areas, including the Kurnool Range.
The representation also referred to the custodial death of Gade Saikrishna and the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s reported directions for a CBI investigation, compensation and disciplinary proceedings. The YSRCP cited the case as another reason for examining police accountability.
The YSRCP’s representation has placed police neutrality and candidate safety at the centre of the debate over Andhra Pradesh’s 2026 local body elections. The party wants the SEC to investigate its allegations, take action against senior police officials where warranted and provide candidates with a fair opportunity to contest.
The next steps depend on the SEC’s examination of the complaints, the available evidence and compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. The allegations against the DGP and Kurnool Range DIG remain claims made by the YSRCP and should be assessed through the appropriate inquiry process.
