Chandrababu Naidu accuses YSRCP of using courts to stall Andhra local body polls
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu escalated his attack on the YSRCP on Wednesday, alleging the opposition party filed nearly 60 court petitions to derail local body elections and obstruct BC reservations — while accusing former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy of hatching sabotage plans from Bengaluru. The charge frames the pre-poll battle not just as political rivalry but as a clash over democratic norms.
Key Takeaways
Andhra Pradesh CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu on 21 October 2026 accused the YSRCP of approaching courts to stall local body elections.
He alleged YSRCP president Y.S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy is plotting acts of sabotage from Bengaluru .
Naidu claimed the YSRCP filed nearly 60 petitions in the High Court and Supreme Court to block Backward Class (BC) reservations.
The TDP chief directed party workers to prioritise alliance victory in coordination with Jana Sena and BJP .
Naidu's remarks were apparently linked to the Supreme Court 's order on the YSRCP's petition over urban local body elections.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of deliberately approaching courts to stall local body elections and obstruct development in the state. The remarks came during a teleconference Naidu held with Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ministers, legislators, Members of Parliament, candidates, and booth-level workers to strategise for the upcoming municipal polls.
Naidu's Allegations Against YSRCP
The Chief Minister alleged that YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is allegedly orchestrating acts of sabotage from Bengaluru. He claimed that whenever the state government acted firmly against what he described as 'destructive acts' by the YSRCP, the party turned to the judiciary to block the electoral process.
'Whenever their attempts at sabotage are thwarted, they rush to the courts to try and halt the elections. This is how those who lack faith in democracy think,' Naidu said.
He also alleged that the YSRCP was plotting to 'distort' court verdicts — remarks apparently directed at the party's response to a Supreme Court order on its petition related to urban local body elections.
Conspiracy Claims and 'Axe Party' Jibe
Naidu, referring to the YSRCP as the 'Axe Party', alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy was planning to bring in 'goons from other states to target specific areas' ahead of the polls. He further alleged that the YSRCP criticised the voter list and sought a court-ordered halt to local body elections until a fresh electoral roll is prepared.
Naidu also alleged that the YSRCP obstructed Backward Class (BC) reservations by filing nearly 60 petitions across the High Court and the Supreme Court. 'People with such a twisted mentality should be kept far away from politics. If criminal litigants remain in politics, they will create obstacles to development and the delivery of welfare,' he added.
TDP Alliance Strategy for Local Body Elections
During the teleconference, Naidu directed TDP leaders to make victory of the alliance candidates — comprising the TDP, Jana Sena, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — their primary objective. He asked party workers to treat every aspect of the election process seriously, from candidate selection to the final count.
'We are selecting strong candidates, prioritising those who have worked hard for the party. The Axe Party is fielding destructive individuals as candidates,' he said.
Context: Local Body Elections and Legal Challenges
This comes amid heightened political tensions in Andhra Pradesh ahead of local body elections, with the YSRCP mounting legal challenges that the ruling NDA alliance has characterised as deliberate obstructionism. The state has seen a series of opposition petitions in higher courts — a pattern Naidu framed as symptomatic of a party that, in his view, lacks confidence in the democratic process.
With candidate selection ongoing and polling dates approaching, the coming days will test whether the legal and political skirmishes translate into disruptions on the ground.
Point of View
Thereby delegitimising any court-driven delay in the electoral calendar. The '60 petitions' figure, if accurate, does point to an aggressive litigation approach by the opposition — but the line between protecting voters' rights through courts and weaponising litigation is contested terrain in Indian politics. What is notable here is the Bengaluru angle: repeatedly placing Jagan outside Andhra Pradesh is a spatial metaphor for disconnection. Whether courts ultimately allow or delay the polls will determine whether Naidu's narrative holds or backfires.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chandrababu Naidu accuse the YSRCP of doing?
Naidu accused the YSRCP of filing court petitions to deliberately stall Andhra Pradesh's local body elections and obstruct Backward Class reservations. He also alleged that YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is plotting acts of sabotage from Bengaluru.
How many court petitions has the YSRCP allegedly filed?
According to Naidu, the YSRCP filed nearly 60 petitions across the High Court and the Supreme Court, specifically targeting Backward Class reservations ahead of the local body elections.
What is the 'Axe Party' reference Naidu made?
'Axe Party' is a pejorative term used by Naidu and the TDP for the YSRCP, referencing the party symbol. Naidu used it to contrast what he described as the NDA's constructive candidate selection process against what he alleged were the YSRCP's disruptive tactics.
What is the TDP's alliance strategy for the local body elections?
The TDP is contesting in alliance with Jana Sena and the BJP. Naidu directed party workers to treat candidate selection and election coordination with the alliance partners as the top priority, with a focus on fielding strong, hard-working candidates.
What is the Supreme Court's role in the Andhra local body election dispute?
The YSRCP had approached the Supreme Court with a petition related to urban local body elections. Naidu's remarks appeared to be a response to the YSRCP's reaction to a Supreme Court order on that petition, though the specific order details were not disclosed in the statement.
