YS Jagan Accuses NDA of Blocking YSRCP Candidates Ahead of Local Body Polls

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA alliance of using intimidation, violence and the police machinery to prevent opposition candidates from contesting the upcoming local body elections. He alleged that the ruling coalition was resorting to undemocratic tactics out of fear of electoral defeat.

Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Sunday, Jagan alleged that nomination papers were being snatched from party candidates, while workers and their supporters were being attacked, threatened and, in some instances, kidnapped. He also accused the ruling party of resorting to arson and filing false cases, claiming that such incidents were taking place even in the presence of police personnel.

Recalling previous local body elections, Jagan said the YSRCP had secured more than 90 per cent of the seats when N Ramesh Kumar was the State Election Commissioner. He alleged that the election machinery was now favouring the ruling alliance and questioned the process of appointing election commissioners, arguing that systemic shortcomings were undermining free and fair polls.

Jagan cited alleged obstructions in Kadapa, Punganur, Tirupati and Pulivendula, including the rejection or seizure of nomination papers, attacks on vehicles and restrictions on candidates entering nomination centres. He alleged that police personnel in Pulivendula had thrown stones and fired shots into the air to intimidate candidates.

He said YSRCP nominees were still facing difficulties on the final day of nominations in several places, including Kamalapuram, Rayachoti, Darsi, Gurazala, Dachepalli, Piduguralla, Badvel and Rajampet. He also alleged that opposition candidates were restricted despite following the rules on the number of people permitted to accompany them.

Questioning the election schedule, Jagan said it was announced a day after reservation details were released, leaving opposition parties with insufficient preparation time. He also alleged that constituency and ward delimitation had favoured the NDA alliance.

On electoral rolls, he claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had identified 46 lakh bogus voters, but the government had chosen to conduct elections using the existing lists instead of revised rolls. He warned that those responsible for alleged electoral irregularities would be held accountable.

Under the announced schedule, elections to 100 urban local bodies will be held on October 28, with results on October 30. MPTC and ZPTC polls are scheduled for November 3, with counting on November 5. Gram panchayat elections will take place in three phases on November 26 and 29 and December 2, with results declared on the respective polling days.

Jagan maintained that the current situation would not last indefinitely. He said the YSRCP had fulfilled the promises made in its election manifesto before seeking another mandate, while accusing the present government of failing to honour its poll commitments. He also praised those opposing what he described as undemocratic governance.