Lokesh Rejects Opposition’s Criticism of AP Local Body Polls, Cites 22,800 Nominations

Nara Lokesh has hit back at the opposition over criticism of Andhra Pradesh’s urban local body elections, citing over 22,800 nominations filed across the state. The State Education Minister said political parties should focus on reaching voters rather than questioning the process before polling, stressing that electoral success depends on ground-level work.

In a post on X on Monday, Lokesh stated that candidates from various political parties, social communities and regions had come forward to contest the elections. He cited the number of nominations as evidence of active democratic participation in Andhra Pradesh and maintained that electoral outcomes should be determined by the people’s verdict.

Lokesh’s remarks came after former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that candidates from his party were being prevented from filing nominations for the urban local body elections.

Jagan met Governor S. Abdul Nazeer at Lok Bhavan on Sunday and complained that the NDA Government was engaging in actions that undermined democratic principles. He requested the deployment of central security forces at nomination centres and called for the entire election process to be monitored through CCTV cameras to ensure transparency.

The contrasting claims have triggered a political debate in the state. While Lokesh pointed to the large number of nominations filed, Jagan questioned whether opposition candidates were being given a fair opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

The YSRCP leadership has called for additional safeguards to protect the integrity of the elections, while Lokesh urged political opponents to concentrate on campaigning and seek public support. The competing positions have brought the conduct of the urban local body polls under increased political scrutiny.

Separately, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma arrived at the Chief Minister’s camp office in Undavalli, where Nara Lokesh welcomed him. The minister felicitated the visiting leader with a shawl and presented him with a memento.

The two leaders subsequently held a courtesy meeting. The interaction was a separate engagement during Lokesh’s schedule amid the ongoing political debate over Andhra Pradesh’s urban local body elections.