Jagan alerts YSRCP ahead of Andhra local body polls on Nov 1, Nov 5
Synopsis
With Andhra Pradesh local body polls just days away, Jagan Mohan Reddy convened an emergency video conference to put YSRCP's entire cadre on alert — alleging systematic rigging during nominations and warning the Chandrababu government could extend that playbook to polling day. The party has signalled it will pursue every irregularity in court.
Key Takeaways
YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a video conference on 29 October 2026 from Tadepalli to brief senior party leaders ahead of local body polls.
Andhra Pradesh local body elections are scheduled for 1 November and 5 November .
Jagan alleged the Chandrababu Naidu government used police and Returning Officers to obstruct YSRCP candidates during the nomination phase.
He expressed concern that the State Election Commission had not complied with Supreme Court directions on CCTV surveillance at polling stations.
Party cadres were directed to video-document all violations and route complaints to the SEC via central leadership, with legal action to follow every irregularity.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday, 29 October 2026, issued a sharp directive to party leaders and polling agents to stay maximally vigilant during the state's upcoming local-body elections, scheduled for 1 November and 5 November. Speaking via video conference from the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Jagan warned that the alleged irregularities witnessed during nominations could intensify at the polling stage.
Key Directives to Party Cadres
Jagan instructed polling agents to thoroughly understand election procedures and to challenge suspicious votes through officially prescribed channels. He stressed that agents must retain their entry authorisation documents and promptly report any attempt to bar them from accessing polling stations. All evidence of violations — particularly video documentation — must be preserved for legal proceedings, he said.
District presidents were directed to coordinate tightly with regional coordinators and constituency in-charges, conduct twice-daily reviews with Assembly coordinators, and remain in uninterrupted contact with the party's central office. All complaints are to be routed to central leadership for submission to the State Election Commission (SEC), with legal assistance sought wherever required.
Allegations Against the Chandrababu Government
Jagan levelled serious allegations against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accusing it of functioning 'like a mafia' by allegedly deploying police and Returning Officers to obstruct opposition candidates. He cited a string of specific grievances from the nomination phase: capture of nomination centres, physical attacks on candidates, destruction of nomination papers, forged withdrawals, disappearance of B-Forms, and rejection of nominations after Returning Officers allegedly removed supporting certificates. He also alleged the improper issuance of Backward Classes (BC) certificates to Other Castes (OC) candidates.
Jagan warned that these tactics could be extended to polling day through obstruction of agents, interference with ballot boxes, and irregularities at strongrooms and counting centres.
Concern Over SEC and Supreme Court Directions
The YSRCP chief expressed concern that the State Election Commission had not ensured adequate CCTV surveillance at polling stations despite directions from the Supreme Court of India. He argued that this lapse creates conditions for unchecked misconduct and underscored the party's intention to pursue every irregularity through legal channels, holding responsible officials accountable.
Senior Leaders Attend the Conference
The video conference was attended by senior YSRCP figures including Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, MVS Nagi Reddy, MLC Lella Appireddy, M. Manohar Reddy, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Thumati Madhava Rao, regional coordinators YV Subba Reddy, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, PV Midhun Reddy, Kurasala Kannababu, Gudivada Amarnath, Budi Mutyala Naidu, Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy, and district presidents across the state.
With polling days approaching, YSRCP's legal and organisational machinery is now on high alert — and any further alleged violations, the party has made clear, will be contested in court.
Point of View
BC certificates for OC candidates, Returning Officers removing supporting documents) suggests the party has compiled a legal dossier, not just political talking points. What is notable is the invocation of the Supreme Court's CCTV direction: if the SEC has genuinely not complied, that is a justiciable failure, not just an opposition grievance. The real test of YSRCP's preparedness will be whether its booth-level documentation holds up as admissible evidence — because in Andhra's highly competitive local body arena, the post-poll courtroom battle often matters as much as the vote count.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Andhra Pradesh local body elections scheduled?
The Andhra Pradesh local body elections are scheduled for two phases: 1 November and 5 November 2026 . YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy convened a video conference on 29 October to prepare party cadres for both polling dates.
What instructions did Jagan Mohan Reddy give to YSRCP polling agents?
Jagan directed polling agents to understand election procedures thoroughly, challenge suspicious votes through prescribed channels, retain entry authorisation documents, and video-document every violation. He also instructed them to immediately report any attempt to prevent them from entering polling stations.
What allegations did Jagan make against the Chandrababu Naidu government?
Jagan alleged that the Chandrababu Naidu-led government functioned 'like a mafia', deploying police and Returning Officers to obstruct YSRCP candidates. Specific allegations included capture of nomination centres, attacks on candidates, forged withdrawals, disappearance of B-Forms, and improper issuance of BC certificates to OC candidates.
What is the concern regarding the State Election Commission and CCTV?
Jagan expressed concern that the State Election Commission had not ensured adequate CCTV surveillance at polling stations despite directions from the Supreme Court of India. He argued that this failure creates conditions for unchecked polling irregularities.
How does YSRCP plan to respond to electoral misconduct?
YSRCP has directed all complaints to be routed through central leadership to the State Election Commission, with legal assistance sought in every case. Jagan warned that every electoral irregularity would be pursued through legal channels and that those responsible would be held accountable.
