YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a strong attack on the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, alleging that the rule of law in the state has been reduced to a tool serving the ruling party. He accused the government of protecting those who carry out attacks while filing cases against the victims and turning them into accused persons.
Jagan alleged that the government was sidelining democratic institutions and implementing what he described as a “Red Book Constitution.” He made these remarks after meeting Alur MLA B. Virupakshi, who is lodged in Kurnool district jail, during a mulakat.
Why Was the MLA Arrested at 2:45 AM?
Jagan questioned the need to arrest an elected MLA at around 2:45 AM with a large number of police personnel. He asked whether Virupakshi would not have appeared before the police if a notice had been served during the daytime.
“Was he someone who would run away? Was he a terrorist?” Jagan asked, questioning the manner in which the arrest was carried out.
Attackers Protected, Victims Booked: Jagan
Jagan alleged that the police violated the law at several stages in the Virupakshi case. He questioned why cases were allegedly being registered against YSRCP workers who were attacked instead of taking action against those accused of carrying out the attacks.
According to Jagan, injured YSRCP workers were taken to the police station and asked to lodge complaints, but their complaints were allegedly not registered. At the same time, he alleged that cases were filed without proper complaints.
He also alleged that police entered Virupakshi’s residence in the middle of the night, took away CCTV cameras and implicated his family members along with the MLA. Jagan described the developments as evidence of a “political conspiracy.”
He questioned whether the police were accountable to the law or acting as “guards of Chandrababu’s Red Book.”
Cases Targeting Emerging BC and Minority Leaders
Jagan further alleged that politically emerging Backward Classes (BC) and minority leaders were being targeted through cases and arrests.
He cited the cases involving former minister Dr. Seediri Appalaraju, Amadalavalasa coordinator Kalinga Chintada Ravi, Alur MLA Virupakshi, Guntur minority leader Mustafa and Eluru Lok Sabha candidate Karumuri Sunil as examples.
Jagan alleged that the government was unable to politically confront leaders who were gaining public support and was therefore attempting to suppress them through police cases.
He particularly alleged that BC and minority leaders were being subjected to cases, arrests and harassment to prevent them from emerging as stronger political leaders. He described this as not merely political vendetta but also an attack on social justice.
Jagan Alleges Humiliation Inside Jail
Jagan also alleged that officials deliberately treated him in a humiliating manner when he visited Kurnool district jail to meet Virupakshi.
He said that people visiting prisoners during mulakats are generally allowed to sit while photographs and videos are taken. However, he alleged that he was instead made to stand near the grill while being photographed.
When he questioned the jail superintendent about the alleged discriminatory treatment, Jagan said he was told that the instructions had come “from above.”
Jagan argued that if even a former Chief Minister and the president of a political party could not be treated independently by officials, it showed how far governance in the state had deteriorated.
“Power Is Not Permanent”
Jagan warned the Chandrababu government against believing that political power would last forever.
He said that every decision allegedly taken out of political vendetta, every illegal case and every arrest would have political consequences in the future. He maintained that democratic voices cannot be silenced through arrests.
Jagan called upon people to question what he described as the government’s use of the police system for political retaliation and its alleged disregard for constitutional values.
He asserted that the YSRCP would not be intimidated by alleged illegal cases, midnight arrests or threats and would continue to fight more strongly on behalf of those who were being targeted.
