YSRCP Alleges Widespread Manipulation Of Andhra Local Poll Results

Former minister and YSRCP Nellore district president Kakani Govardhan Reddy has alleged that the results of local body elections in Andhra Pradesh were manipulated in the name of recounting, accusing the ruling TDP of overturning victories secured by YSRCP candidates. He claimed that recounting was selectively carried out in constituencies where YSRCP candidates had won, after which TDP nominees were declared victorious.

Addressing the alleged irregularities, Kakani accused election officials, TDP leaders and police personnel of working together to change the outcome in several constituencies. He said the alleged manipulation had taken place in dozens of seats, raising serious questions about the conduct of the electoral process.

Referring to his own constituency, Kakani said there were 79 MPTC seats, but officials had declared YSRCP candidates victorious in only 25 seats, allegedly despite the party securing victories in more constituencies. He further claimed that the results in another 10 seats were changed through recounting, with TDP candidates being declared winners.

The former minister also alleged that the majority in two ZPTC constituencies had been altered. He criticised TDP leaders for claiming that their party had won all the seats, despite what he described as a distortion of the people's mandate. He said those attempting to change the electoral outcome should feel ashamed of disregarding the voters' decision.

Kakani maintained that the use of official machinery to silence opposition voices would not conceal the alleged electoral malpractice. He asserted that people were observing the developments and would not overlook the incidents. He also targeted Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that the Election Commission and police department had become instruments in the hands of the government. He accused the ruling establishment of conducting local body elections in an authoritarian manner.

Meanwhile, former minister Ambati Rambabu raised questions over the arrest of MLC Lella Appi Reddy after meeting him in prison. Ambati alleged that Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh and Pemmasani had been attempting to implicate Appi Reddy in a case for the past two years.

Referring to the Vengalayapalem ballot box controversy, Ambati claimed that Appi Reddy had been arrested despite committing no wrongdoing. He demanded that the Election Commission clarify why the ballot box was removed from a bus on the day of the incident, questioning the circumstances surrounding the episode.