YS Jagan Accuses TDP Government of Hijacking Democracy in AP Polls

YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the ruling coalition government of completely hijacking the democratic process in the recently held local body elections in Andhra Pradesh. Describing free and fair elections as the foundation of democracy, he alleged that the coalition government had taken control of the electoral process through misuse of official machinery, police support and intimidation. Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Thursday, Jagan alleged widespread irregularities from the nomination stage to polling, ballot box security and vote counting. Questioning the credibility of the exercise, he asked whether these were elections or merely selections.

Jagan alleged that thousands of YSRCP leaders and workers were targeted through preventive arrests and intimidation immediately after the election schedule was announced. He accused the police of helping TDP leaders obstruct opposition candidates from filing nominations through forged signatures, missing documents and forced withdrawals. He claimed that opposition candidates were prevented from contesting in 17 municipalities and another 22 urban local bodies, while nominations were restricted in several ZPTC and MPTC constituencies.

Questioning election security arrangements, Jagan said CCTV cameras were installed in only 5,737 of 11,378 municipal polling stations and 16,064 of 31,460 ZPTC and MPTC polling stations, despite Supreme Court directions. He alleged widespread booth capturing, bogus voting and attacks on polling agents across several districts, including Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa and Prakasam.

He also raised questions over discrepancies in polling figures, particularly in Visakhapatnam, where the reported number of votes increased significantly between Sunday evening and Monday morning. Citing Chittoor Municipal Corporation, he claimed that nearly 7,000 additional votes appeared during counting beyond the officially announced polling figure.

Turning to governance, Jagan accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of failing to fulfil promises under Super Six and Super Seven schemes. He alleged that welfare programmes, farmers' assistance and employee benefits had suffered, while government medical colleges and other public assets were being exposed to questionable transactions.

Jagan further criticised the government's response to successive cyclones, alleging delays in compensation and input subsidies to affected farmers. Warning that violations of voting rights could threaten property rights, he urged people to defend democratic institutions. He vowed to continue the party's fight, concluding with the slogan, "Hey Ram, Save Andhra; Hey Ram, Save Democracy."