Amaravati, Oct 18 (PTI): YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday accused the ruling TDP-led NDA coalition in Andhra Pradesh of using attacks, intimidation and police machinery to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations for local body elections.
Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Jagan alleged that the ruling coalition was resorting to undemocratic tactics to prevent his party candidates from contesting the elections, fearing defeat.
“The TDP-led NDA coalition is preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations for local body elections through attacks, intimidation and misuse of the police machinery,” he claimed.
Jagan alleged that YSRCP candidates had their nomination papers snatched away, while party workers and their associates were attacked, kidnapped and intimidated. He accused the ruling party of resorting to arson and filing false cases against opposition workers, allegedly with the police’s knowledge.
He alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, lacking confidence in the people’s mandate, was using government officials, police personnel and TDP supporters to influence the election process.
Referring to previous local body elections, the LoP said the YSRCP had secured a strike rate of more than 90 per cent when N Ramesh Kumar, whom he described as a staunch TDP supporter, was the State Election Commissioner.
He alleged that the ruling coalition was now resorting to similar tactics despite having an Election Commissioner whom he described as loyal to the TDP.
Jagan questioned the appointment of Election Commissioners by political authorities, arguing that the system had structural flaws that undermined free and fair elections.
He alleged that YSRCP MPs and party workers were obstructed in Kadapa, Punganur and Tirupati, where nomination papers were either seized or not accepted, vehicles were attacked and supporters assaulted.
In Pulivendula, Jagan alleged that police personnel acted in favour of the TDP, threw stones and fired in the air to intimidate candidates who had come to file their nominations. He termed the alleged firing during the nomination process unprecedented.
Jagan alleged that TDP supporters were allowed to gather in groups, while YSRCP workers were barred from entering nomination centres despite being accompanied by the four persons permitted under the rules.
He accused government officials, police personnel and ruling party workers of colluding to prevent YSRCP candidates from filing their nominations.
Jagan said that on the final day of nominations, YSRCP candidates were still unable to file their papers in several places, such as Tirupati, Kadapa, Kamalapuram, Rayachoti, Punganur, Darsi, Gurazala, Dachepalli, Piduguralla, Badvel and Rajampet.
Questioning the election schedule, he alleged that it had been announced a day after reservation details were released, leaving opposition parties little time to prepare while the government had prior access to the information.
He further claimed that although the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had identified 46 lakh fake voters, the government had decided to proceed with the elections using an unrevised electoral roll.
He alleged that the delimitation of divisions and wards had been carried out to favour the ruling NDA coalition. Calling the situation a passing phase, Jagan warned that those responsible for the alleged irregularities would be held accountable. He claimed that the YSRCP had fulfilled its manifesto commitments before seeking another mandate, in contrast to the TDP, which he accused of failing to honour its poll promises.
He also commended those resisting what he described as undemocratic governance.
There was no immediate reaction from the ruling TDP.
Elections to 100 urban local bodies will be held on October 28, with results on October 30.
Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections are scheduled for November 3, with counting on November 5.
Gram panchayat elections will be held in three phases on November 26, November 29 and December 2, with results declared on the day of each phase.
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