Pulivendula, Oct 27: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticised the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government over alleged irregularities in local body elections. Addressing party leaders and workers in Pulivendula, Jagan accused the ruling alliance of obstructing nominations, attacking opposition candidates and misusing the police machinery to secure uncontested victories.
Jagan warned that any attack on YSRCP workers in Pulivendula would be treated as an attack on him. He assured party cadres that he would stand by them and called on them to fight for democratic rights without fearing arrests or police cases.
Jagan Alleges Election Irregularities in Pulivendula
Jagan alleged that the ruling coalition was preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations instead of facing them in a democratic election. He claimed that YSRCP candidates could file nominations in only 20 of the 40 wards in Pulivendula.
He also stated that elections were taking place in only four of the seven ZPTC positions mentioned in his remarks. Jagan further alleged that candidates in Kadapa district faced nomination rejections and other obstacles.
Allegations of Attacks on Women Candidates
The former Chief Minister condemned the alleged obstruction and attacks against women candidates during the nomination process. He said such incidents undermined democratic values and disrespected women’s participation in politics.
Jagan recalled that the previous YSRCP government had prioritised women’s economic, social and political empowerment. He questioned the conduct of the police and election officials over alleged use of force, firing incidents and cases registered against party workers.
He also criticised the election authorities, claiming that their approach had not changed even after Supreme Court directions concerning the election process.
Jagan Warns Officials Against Political Misuse
Jagan urged government officials to perform their duties according to the Constitution and the law rather than serve the interests of political leaders. He warned that officials who violated the law would have to face legal consequences.
He called on YSRCP workers to remain committed to protecting democratic rights and to continue their political struggle despite alleged intimidation, arrests and police cases.
Jagan Announces ‘Jagan 2.0’
Expressing confidence in YSRCP’s future electoral prospects, Jagan asked party workers to remain patient for another two years. He announced that ‘Jagan 2.0’ would emerge after this period, adding that party workers would play a crucial role in the next phase.
Jagan also said he would visit Pulivendula on municipal election polling day. He called on party cadres to turn the fight for democratic rights in Pulivendula into a statewide movement.
The YSRCP chief’s remarks come amid the party’s allegations of nomination-related irregularities and obstruction of opposition candidates in Andhra Pradesh’s local body elections.
