Amaravati, Oct 2026 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of using Gen-Z as “pawns” for political gains, alleging that the opposition party was willing to resort to unlawful means to regain power.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu alleged that the YSRCP was deliberately creating disturbances and subsequently attempting to hold him responsible for the resulting violence. He said his government would take appropriate action against alleged excesses by YSRCP leaders, while the ruling coalition would politically challenge the party and expose its actions.
Naidu also accused YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of adopting double standards on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners. He was responding to Jagan’s remarks on Sunday calling for the restoration of an earlier selection mechanism involving the Chief Justice of India, arguing that such a system would help rebuild public confidence in the Election Commission.
Naidu claimed that the YSRCP had supported the existing selection process earlier but was now questioning it after electoral setbacks. He also accused the previous YSRCP government of manipulating local body elections to secure a large number of unopposed victories.
According to Naidu, 24 per cent of Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats and 19 per cent of Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) seats were won unopposed during the previous government's tenure. He alleged that these victories were secured through the misuse of official machinery and intimidation of Opposition candidates.
The Chief Minister further claimed that the then State Election Commissioner (SEC) had been compelled to write to the Centre seeking protection. He said that when the SEC reported alleged irregularities in local body elections, the official faced criticism rather than receiving support.
Naidu alleged that the previous government introduced legislation intended to disqualify Opposition candidates. He also claimed that liquor bottles were planted at the homes of Opposition candidates to implicate them and that some candidates were prevented from filing nominations.
“Candidates were not even allowed to file nominations in Pulivendula,” Naidu said, referring to Jagan Mohan Reddy’s constituency. He contrasted the situation with the current elections, claiming that candidates from several political parties, including the YSRCP, had been able to file nominations in Kuppam, Pithapuram and Pulivendula.
The TDP chief alleged that the YSRCP had relied on violence and intimidation in both previous and ongoing elections. He maintained that the government would respond to alleged unlawful activities through appropriate action.
Naidu also referred to the murder of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, Jagan’s uncle, alleging that attempts had been made at the time to shift the blame onto him. He said he was now being held responsible for violence that he alleged was committed by YSRCP members.
“Violence has no place in my life. But I will not run away from criminals and rowdies,” Naidu said, adding that he would not be intimidated by threats or retaliation for action against alleged criminal elements.
He also criticised Jagan for allegedly staying in Bengaluru and visiting Andhra Pradesh occasionally to address press conferences before returning to the neighbouring state.
Emphasising the importance of the coming two decades for Andhra Pradesh, Naidu called for efforts to curb political violence and keep criminal elements away from public life. He urged voters to elect capable leaders and support governments committed to development.
The Chief Minister appealed to people to back candidates of the ruling coalition in the local body elections, presenting the polls as an opportunity to strengthen governance and reject intimidation in politics. The allegations against the YSRCP were made by Naidu at the press conference and were not independently established in the account provided.
