Mockery of democracy in full play in AP
YSRCP President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for murdering democracy through violence, intimidation and manipulation of local body elections. Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office, he questioned whether the State Government and election authorities were implementing Supreme Court directions or Chandrababu’s instructions.
Jagan stated that the YSRCP had submitted evidence of nomination obstruction to the Governor, State Election Commission and Supreme Court. The Supreme Court directed authorities to examine complaints and electronic evidence, defer final candidate lists until October 25, provide additional nomination facilities at Collectorates where necessary, ensure police protection and CCTV surveillance, and submit compliance reports. Despite judicial intervention, attacks and obstruction continued without action against responsible officials.
Electoral Competition Destroyed in 23 Urban Local Bodies
Jagan charged that YSRCP candidates were prevented from filing nominations in 19 municipalities, while competition was undermined across 23 urban local bodies through obstruction and rejection during scrutiny. The party was left without chairperson candidates in 15 places. Candidates were prevented from filing in Gurazala, Piduguralla, Darsi, Rayachoti, Kamalapuram, Yerraguntla, Mydukur and Punganur. Chairperson candidates were eliminated during scrutiny in Dachepalli, Kanigiri, Badvel, Rajampet, Proddatur, Gooty and Nagari.
He criticised the SEC’s limited reopening of nominations. While all wards in Mydukur and 18 wards in Tirupati received another opportunity, Kadapa’s 66 wards were left with YSRCP competition in only 13, comprising two existing and 11 reopened wards. Rajampet had competition in only 14 of 32 wards, leaving 18 without YSRCP candidates. Jagan questioned how these arrangements constituted free elections.
Comparing Chandrababu’s manipulation of electoral institutions to Shakuni’s loaded dice in the Mahabharata, Jagan challenged him to face genuine electoral competition. He recalled that the YSRCP government implemented welfare even during COVID-19, fulfilled 95% of manifesto promises and won 86% of positions in previous local elections by presenting its performance. He charged that public anger over unfulfilled Super Six and Super Seven promises had driven the coalition to suppress opposition candidates.
MPTC and ZPTC Elections Also Targeted
Jagan stated that no MPTC nominations were filed in 101 of 659 mandals, while another 70 mandals recorded fewer than five nominations, affecting 171 mandals. ZPTC nominations remained pending in 227 mandals. Police continued watching attacks without intervening, while partisan officials remained on election duty.
He identified eight methods used to eliminate opposition candidates: police intimidation, bind-over proceedings and preventive arrests; house arrests of supporting leaders; deployment of ruling-party workers at nomination centres; snatching and tearing documents; police removing victims instead of attackers; criminal cases against victims; rejection during scrutiny and forged withdrawals; and intimidation forcing candidates to withdraw.
In Nandyal Municipality’s Ward 51, YSRCP candidate Nagamani’s accepted nomination was shown as withdrawn through a forged signature, after which the TDP candidate was declared elected unopposed. In Nagari, chairperson candidate Balakrishna received an acknowledgement for his nomination but disappeared from the final list.
Women Candidates Subjected to Brutal Attacks
Jagan condemned attacks on women candidates despite the YSRCP government’s 50% reservation for women in local bodies, which created opportunities for approximately 80,000 women representatives.
He detailed incidents across the state. In Gorantla, a TDP leader tore nomination papers inside the election officer’s room. Former Deputy CM Narayanaswamy’s vehicle was damaged in Chittoor. In Dharmavaram, a woman’s saree was pulled during an attack, while a V. Kota ZPTC candidate’s papers were torn. Bellamkonda Narendra Chowdary was attacked before officials in Chilakaluripet. TDP women tore G.D. Nellore candidate’s documents at the Chittoor ZP office.
In Tadimarri, police assaulted women, including a nine-month-pregnant woman. Kanigiri candidate Sameera pleaded at police officers’ feet for permission to file. Dachepalli ZPTC candidate Padmavathi was attacked and her saree pulled. In Punganur, SC woman Kamalamma’s nomination papers were snatched. In Jammalamadugu, police threatened municipal chairperson candidate Indiramma with a gun. Jagan questioned the government’s failure to protect women and punish attackers.
Fake Nominations and Suspicious Statistical Increases
Jagan questioned the Election Commission’s figures showing a 547% one-day increase in MPTC nominations and over 468% in ZPTC nominations despite widespread obstruction. He charged that TDP workers filed fake nominations in YSRCP candidates’ names in Kondapuram, Mylavaram and Vemula to inflate figures presented before courts.
He demanded verification of nominations against authentic party A and B Forms and announced that the YSRCP would submit its authorised candidate list. If officials continued obstructing candidates, the party would seek judicial arrangements for filing nominations.
Demand for Supreme Court-Supervised Elections
Jagan demanded elections under Supreme Court supervision with an amicus curiae, central security forces and CCTV coverage from nomination centres to polling booths, strongrooms and counting centres, including live monitoring. He sought removal of the DGP and concerned DIGs, SPs, Collectors and partisan election officials, prosecution of attackers, and disclosure of CCTV installations and disciplinary action. Officials submitting false reports must also face consequences.
Announcing a comprehensive evidence book containing photographs, videos and QR codes, Jagan stated that every incident would be digitally documented and submitted before courts. The YSRCP Legal Cell would assist victims with individual petitions before the High Court, Supreme Court and National Human Rights Commission.
Warning that those tearing nomination papers today could threaten citizens’ property documents tomorrow, Jagan said democracy, lives, property and fundamental rights were at stake. He challenged Chandrababu to seek votes based on performance rather than intimidation and urged citizens, irrespective of political affiliation, to defend every candidate’s right to contest and every voter’s right to vote.
