YS Jagan Accuses AP Government of Ignoring Supreme Court Directions on Local Polls

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the ruling coalition government of undermining democracy by preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations for local body elections, alleging that even Supreme Court directions have failed to ensure a fair process.

Addressing a press conference at the party's central office on Friday, Jagan said his party had approached the Governor, the State Election Commission (SEC) and the Supreme Court with complaints, documents and electronic evidence relating to alleged electoral irregularities. He said the Supreme Court had directed authorities to examine complaints and supporting evidence from candidates who were unable to file nominations and make alternative arrangements, including at district collector offices, wherever necessary.

Jagan alleged that candidates were still being obstructed in several areas despite these directions. Of the 19 municipalities where the YSRCP reported difficulties in filing nominations, he said fresh nominations were permitted only in selected wards. While all wards in Mydukur and 18 remaining wards in Tirupati were allowed to receive fresh nominations, only 11 of Kadapa's 66 wards and 11 wards in Rajampet received similar opportunities. Consequently, he said, the party could contest in only 14 of Rajampet's 32 wards.

The former Chief Minister also raised concerns over the MPTC and ZPTC elections, claiming that 101 of 659 mandals received no MPTC nominations, while another 70 mandals recorded fewer than five nominations. He alleged that nominations remained pending in 227 ZPTC constituencies and that candidates faced intimidation, attacks, house arrests and the forcible removal or destruction of nomination papers.

Jagan cited alleged irregularities in Nandyal's 51st ward, where YSRCP candidate Nagamani's signature was purportedly forged to show that she had withdrawn her nomination, paving the way for a TDP candidate to be declared elected unopposed. He also alleged that the nomination of YSRCP municipal chairperson candidate Balakrishna in Nagari was accepted initially, but the final list retained only the TDP candidate's name.

Women candidates were also allegedly targeted in Dharmavaram, Kanigiri, Dachepalli, Punganur and other locations. Jagan questioned how free and fair elections could be conducted when women candidates were unable to file nominations without fear.

He further questioned SEC figures showing a sharp increase in nominations, claiming that MPTC nominations had risen by 547 per cent and ZPTC nominations by more than 468 per cent. He alleged that fake nominations were being filed in the YSRCP's name in Kondapuram, Mylavaram and Vemula to mislead the courts.

Jagan released a photographic compilation titled 'Pachchamookala Dadulu' (Attacks by Green Brigades), documenting alleged attacks and electoral irregularities. He said the material would be made available through a QR code and submitted to the courts and other authorities.

Demanding Supreme Court-monitored elections, Jagan called for central security forces, protection for all candidates, CCTV surveillance and live streaming at nomination centres, polling stations, strong rooms and counting centres. He also sought the appointment of an amicus curiae to oversee the process and the removal of officials accused of partisan conduct.

Accusing the Chandrababu Naidu-led government of resorting to electoral intimidation out of fear of defeat, Jagan said every candidate must be given a fair opportunity to contest and voters must be allowed to deliver their verdict freely.