Left Parties Accuse AP Government of Undermining Democracy in Local Elections

Left parties have accused the Andhra Pradesh government of undermining democracy during the ongoing local body election nomination process, alleging attacks, threats, abductions and deliberate attempts to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations.

Speaking at a media conference at Dasari Bhavan in Vijayawada, CPI state secretary Gajjula Eshwaraiah and CPM state secretary V. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the ruling coalition was misusing the police machinery to suppress opposition voices and influence the elections.

Eshwaraiah accused the Chandrababu Naidu government of using its official machinery with the backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He alleged that Left candidates were being attacked, their nomination papers torn up and candidates threatened or abducted in some areas.

Questioning the neutrality of the police, government and State Election Commission (SEC), he demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged irregularities. He said the SEC must safeguard its credibility and called for the State Election Commissioner to resign if the office could not function impartially.

Eshwaraiah also demanded the immediate removal of DIG Koya Praveen from his responsibilities, alleging that Left leaders who filed nominations for municipal corporations in Kadapa had faced attacks and action under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act. He claimed that the parties possessed evidence of the alleged attacks.

Referring to elections held under the previous YSRCP government, he said Left candidates had contested in Kadapa, Jammalamadugu and Pulivendula without facing similar attacks or rejection of nominations. He warned that the Left parties would intensify their opposition to the coalition government.

The CPI leader demanded that elections be halted in violence-hit areas, followed by fresh notifications and a new election process. He also sought action against those responsible for obstructing nominations and attacking candidates.

Srinivasa Rao accused the coalition government of failing to address public issues and allowing law and order to deteriorate. He alleged that outsiders were being brought in to attack candidates, police were acting like ruling party workers, and pressure was being exerted to secure unanimous victories. He also accused Nara Lokesh’s office of issuing provocative instructions.

Expressing doubts over the fairness of polling, he urged the SEC to ensure free and transparent elections.

The government, TDP, police department and SEC had not responded to the allegations in the information available.