Irregularities in Local Body Elections: Jagan Strongly Criticises Coalition Government

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticised the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government over alleged irregularities in the Pulivendula local body elections. During a meeting with party leaders and workers in Pulivendula, Jagan accused the government of preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations, attacking candidates and using police force to influence the election process.

Jagan warned that any attack on YSRCP workers in Pulivendula would be treated as an attack on him. He assured party workers that he would stand by them and urged them to continue fighting for their democratic rights without fear of arrests or police cases.

Jagan Alleges Irregularities in Local Body Elections

The YSRCP chief alleged that democratic institutions were weakening under the Chandrababu Naidu government. Instead of facing the public mandate in elections, the ruling coalition was allegedly trying to secure uncontested victories by preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations.

According to Jagan, YSRCP candidates could file nominations in only 20 of the 40 wards in Pulivendula. He also stated that elections were being contested in only four of the seven ZPTC seats. He alleged that candidates in other parts of Kadapa district had also faced nomination rejections and obstacles during the election process.

Jagan Raises Concerns Over Attacks on Women Candidates

Jagan criticised the alleged obstruction of women candidates during the nomination process, stating that such incidents were against democratic values and women’s dignity.

He recalled that the previous YSRCP government had focused on women’s economic, social and political empowerment. He also questioned the alleged use of police force, reported firing incidents and the filing of cases against party workers during the local body election process.

The former chief minister further alleged that there had been no significant change in the conduct of election officials even after the Supreme Court’s directions.

Officials Must Follow the Constitution, Says Jagan

Jagan urged government officials to perform their duties according to the Constitution and the law rather than act in the interests of political leaders. He warned that officials allegedly involved in wrongdoing could face legal accountability.

He also called on YSRCP leaders and workers to protect democratic rights and continue their political struggle without being intimidated by arrests or criminal cases.

Jagan Announces ‘Jagan 2.0’

Expressing confidence in the party’s future electoral prospects, Jagan asked YSRCP workers to remain patient for another two years. He said that ‘Jagan 2.0’ would emerge after this period and emphasised that party workers would play a key role in the next phase of the party’s political journey.

Jagan also announced that he would visit Pulivendula on the municipal election polling day. He called for the movement to protect democracy, which he said would begin in Pulivendula, to spread across Andhra Pradesh.

The YSRCP chief’s remarks come amid allegations of nomination-related irregularities and political tensions surrounding the local body elections in Andhra Pradesh.