YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday, 7 August sharply criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the alleged police-backed assault on YSRCP workers conducting a relay hunger strike across the state, demanding a CBI enquiry into the DSC 2025 paper leak and recruitment irregularities in teacher appointments. The crackdown, according to Jagan, targeted peaceful protesters who were also calling for the resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh, Naidu's son.

What Triggered the Confrontation

YSRCP has been running relay hunger strikes at multiple locations across Andhra Pradesh to press for accountability over the DSC 2025 examination paper leak, which has left thousands of teacher aspirants in limbo. The protests escalated after cadres alleged that a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA and his supporters physically disrupted the strike in Vijayawada, vandalising tents and assaulting participants — including women — in full view of police personnel.

'In full view of the police, tents were pulled down, stones, eggs and tomatoes were hurled, women were attacked, and our former MLA Malladi Vishnu and the youngsters were targeted,' Jagan said, quoting the sequence of events in Vijayawada.

Jagan's Charges Against Naidu

In a post on X, Jagan directly challenged the Chief Minister: 'Mr Chandrababu Naidu, how low will your government stoop to protect your son? Is violence your answer to unemployed youth and your failed promises to them?' He alleged that similar repression was carried out across the state, naming Chilakaluripet, Kanigiri, Yadiki, Tadipatri, Palamaner, Repalle, Guntur, Ponnur, Vemuru, Macherla, Gurazala, Kandukur, and Bapatla as sites where protest camps were attacked and leaders detained.

Jagan questioned why the state government feared an independent investigation. 'Why are your MLA, party cadres and police machinery being used to shield Nara Lokesh from accountability,' he asked.

YSRCP's Four-Point Demand

The former Chief Minister laid out a clear set of demands directed at the Naidu government. These include: a CBI enquiry into the DSC 2025 paper leak and recruitment irregularities; accountability for Education Minister Nara Lokesh; immediate clearance of pending Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena fee-reimbursement dues, which reportedly stand at ₹9,000 crore; and implementation of the ruling coalition's manifesto promise of a ₹3,000 monthly unemployment allowance along with two years of arrears.

The Broader Political Context

This confrontation comes amid mounting pressure on the TDP-led government over the DSC 2025 controversy, which critics argue exposed systemic failures in Andhra Pradesh's public recruitment machinery. Notably, the demand for Lokesh's resignation places the Chief Minister in a politically delicate position — defending both his government's record and his son's tenure at the education ministry. Jagan warned that the struggle would continue. 'You cannot erase the evidence, crush the anger of unemployed youth or silence Andhra Pradesh's Gen Z. The struggle will continue until justice is delivered,' he said.