Amaravati, Oct 2026 : Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday demanded the deployment of Central forces to ensure free and fair local body elections in the state, accusing the ruling coalition of using intimidation and violence to prevent opposition candidates from filing their nominations.
Jagan urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to intervene immediately and ensure adequate security for candidates visiting nomination centres. He alleged that the ruling coalition, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was misusing the police machinery to obstruct the nomination process out of fear of electoral defeat.
The YSRCP chief met State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha and expressed concern over the alleged obstruction of nominations. He warned that the credibility of the Commission and its officials would suffer if candidates were denied the opportunity to contest elections.
“If the SEC becomes a party to such undemocratic practices by allowing nominations to be obstructed, it would be an unprecedented incident in history. We urged the SEC not to be part of such practices,” Jagan said.
He requested the Commission to introduce an online nomination facility or arrange for candidates to submit their papers at a centralised location at the SEC office in Amaravati. He also sought police escorts for candidates, with the respective Superintendents of Police taking responsibility for ensuring their safe passage to nomination centres.
Jagan said the difficulties faced by candidates at the nomination stage raised serious questions about the conduct of the actual elections. He argued that if candidates could not submit their papers without intimidation, the situation for candidates and voters during polling could be even worse.
He therefore called for the deployment of paramilitary forces to supervise the elections and urged the SEC to approach the authorities in Delhi to press for their deployment. Jagan also said he would meet the Governor and request him to intervene in the matter.
Allegations of intimidation and violence
Jagan alleged that large numbers of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supporters were gathering at nomination centres in areas where YSRCP candidates intended to file their papers. He claimed that the police were allowing these groups to assemble while restricting opposition candidates and their supporters.
According to him, nomination papers were being snatched and torn up in the presence of police personnel, preventing candidates from completing the process.
He alleged that the intimidation extended beyond the obstruction of nominations, with incidents of attacks on supporters, false criminal cases, kidnapping, arson and threats being reported. Jagan accused the police of failing to act against those responsible and of allowing the ruling party's supporters to operate without restraint.
The YSRCP president cited alleged incidents in Kadapa, Punganur and Tirupati, claiming that party leaders and candidates were prevented from submitting their nomination papers or had their documents rejected or seized. He further alleged that vehicles were attacked and party supporters were assaulted by individuals associated with the TDP.
Referring to Pulivendula, Jagan accused the police of behaving like ruling party cadres. He alleged that stones were pelted and shots were fired into the air to intimidate candidates who had arrived to file their nominations.
Describing the alleged firing during the nomination process as unprecedented, he questioned why police personnel were permitting large gatherings of TDP supporters while restricting YSRCP workers.
“While police are allowing TDP goons to gather in a mob, YSRCP cadre is not allowed even the permitted four persons inside the nomination centre,” he alleged.
Jagan targets Chandrababu Naidu
Jagan also criticised Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that the Chief Minister had failed to honour the promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. He claimed that the ruling coalition was resorting to coercion because it feared facing voters in a fair electoral contest.
The former Chief Minister maintained that the alleged incidents demonstrated the urgent need for independent security arrangements and effective supervision by the Election Commission.
He called on the SEC to ensure that every eligible candidate could file a nomination without fear, regardless of political affiliation.
Asserting that the situation would not last indefinitely, Jagan warned that those responsible for alleged wrongdoing would eventually face consequences. He reiterated that the Commission must act promptly to protect the democratic process and restore confidence among candidates and voters.
The allegations against the ruling coalition and the police were made by Jagan and the YSRCP. The claims require independent verification and responses from the authorities concerned.
