Democracy is being murdered, says Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has alleged that democracy in Andhra Pradesh is under serious threat, citing recent developments during Mandal Parishad President (MPP) by-elections.

Jagan said the incidents witnessed during the by-elections clearly reflect a breakdown of democratic norms in the state. He accused the ruling establishment of resorting to intimidation, abductions, and physical attacks even in local-level elections, which, he said, exposes the prevailing “lawless governance.” Referring to incidents in Vinjamuru mandal of Nellore district and Bommanahal mandal of Anantapur district, Jagan questioned the direction in which democracy in the state is heading, raising the issue on the social media platform X.

The YSRCP chief alleged that the by-elections in Vinjamuru and Bommanahal were “completely undermined” and accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of turning the electoral process into a display of brute force rather than a democratic exercise. He demanded the immediate cancellation of these by-elections and called for fresh polls to be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. Jagan also claimed that under what he termed the “arrogant rule” of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the value of a common citizen’s vote has been eroded.

Strongly condemning the attacks on YSRCP MPTC members in the Udayagiri Assembly constituency of Nellore district, Jagan said elected representatives were prevented from reaching polling centres and were physically assaulted. He described it as “deeply unfortunate” that a female MPTC member sustained injuries and suffered bleeding during the violence. He further alleged that one member was abducted, while another was taken into police custody, which he claimed was part of a conspiracy to silence the YSRCP.

Jagan also expressed serious displeasure over the role of the police, accusing them of failing to uphold law and order. He alleged that instead of acting impartially, the police remained mute spectators under pressure from ruling party leaders. According to him, the police machinery is being misused for political gains, weakening democratic institutions. Similar allegations were made about Bommanahal in Anantapur district, where he claimed YSRCP MPTC members were unlawfully detained and the election was forcibly concluded.

Meanwhile, the YSRCP has already brought these issues to the notice of senior authorities. Party leader L. Appi Reddy wrote to the State Election Commissioner and the Director General of Police, lodging a formal complaint over the alleged irregularities in the by-elections. He sought a thorough inquiry into police interference and dereliction of duty during the election process.

So far, the ruling Telugu Desam Party has not issued any official response to the serious allegations made by the principal opposition party.