Women’s Safety Neglected Under Coalition Rule: YSRC Leader Lakshmi Parvathi

Expressing deep concern over the state of women’s safety in Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvathi alleged that women’s security has become “a lamp blown out in the wind” since the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government assumed office.

In a statement, she criticised the rising incidents of attacks and harassment against women in recent days, saying these incidents reflect a decline in law and order. “Some public representatives, entrusted with the responsibility to protect citizens, are today themselves involved in attacks on women,” Lakshmi Parvathi alleged. She further lamented that an unsafe environment now prevails across the state, leaving girls and elderly women equally vulnerable.

Highlighting concerns over police accountability, she said, “Victims seeking justice often approach the police, but in some cases, FIRs are registered against the victims themselves, tarnishing the credibility of the state police system.”

Lakshmi Parvathi also accused certain MLAs from the ruling party of committing acts of abuse against women, adding that their followers are emboldened to imitate such behaviour. She criticised the government for taking no clear action against the perpetrators.

Recalling initiatives under the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government , she highlighted the introduction of the ‘Disha App’ , a highly prestigious system designed to provide 24-hour immediate police assistance to women in emergencies. “The current government has completely undermined this system, purely out of political animosity,” she claimed.

She further noted that during the previous administration, efforts went beyond protection to provide financial support and address fundamental public issues affecting women. In contrast, the present government, according to her, has focused solely on criticising the former regime for political gain. Lakshmi Parvathi urged the current government to set aside political differences and prioritise women’s safety in the state.