YS Jagan Accuses Chandrababu Government of Undermining Democracy in Andhra Pradesh

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Chandrababu Naidu-led government of pushing democracy into a serious crisis by allegedly preventing opposition candidates from contesting local body elections.

In a post on social media platform X, Jagan alleged that the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had demonstrated how elections could be manipulated even before polling began. He described the alleged attempts to prevent opposition candidates from entering the electoral contest as a dangerous trend that undermined democratic principles.

Listing four categories of alleged irregularities, Jagan claimed that YSRCP candidates were systematically targeted from the nomination stage. He alleged that key party leaders were placed under house arrest and subjected to preventive binding-over measures to prevent them from supporting candidates during the filing process.

He further claimed that TDP supporters were allowed unrestricted access to nomination centres, while YSRCP candidates and their supporters faced restrictions on the number of people permitted to accompany them. Opposition candidates were allegedly attacked, and their nomination papers were snatched and torn. Even women candidates, MPs and former ministers were reportedly targeted, he alleged.

Jagan also accused the TDP of arranging fraudulent nominations through its sympathisers in the name of the YSRCP. He alleged that the party's officially issued Form A and Form B documents were disregarded, misleading the public and courts about the authenticity of candidates.

Another allegation concerned intimidation and forced withdrawals. According to Jagan, candidates who filed nominations were threatened and pressured into withdrawing. Those who refused were allegedly disqualified during scrutiny on various grounds. He also claimed that documents were removed or tampered with to facilitate the rejection of nominations.

In a further serious charge, Jagan alleged that candidates' signatures were forged without their knowledge and fabricated withdrawal documents were accepted by election officials. He accused the police, election machinery and TDP leaders of acting in collusion to manipulate the electoral process.

Demanding accountability, Jagan called for an independent investigation into every complaint. He urged authorities to preserve nomination papers, scrutiny records and video footage, take action against officials responsible and provide justice to candidates denied an opportunity to contest.

Questioning Chandrababu Naidu's confidence in public support, Jagan asked why the ruling party would allegedly obstruct YSRCP candidates if it believed in its electoral strength. He stressed that strict supervision was essential to safeguard democracy and ensure free and fair elections.