Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday, 18 October demanded the deployment of Central paramilitary forces in the state to ensure free and fair local body elections, alleging that ruling coalition workers were physically obstructing YSRCP candidates from filing nominations.

What Jagan Alleged

Addressing reporters in Tadepalli, Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that thousands of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers had positioned themselves at nomination centres across the state, with nomination papers allegedly being 'snatched and torn' in full view of police personnel. He alleged that YSRCP MPs in Kadapa, Punganuru, and Tirupati were stopped, their nomination papers not accepted, their vehicles attacked, and their supporters beaten. He further alleged that at Pulivendula, police fired in the air and pelted stones at candidates arriving to submit papers — conduct he described as 'unprecedented.'

'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 said.

Jagan's Meeting with the State Election Commission

Prior to his press remarks, Jagan Mohan Reddy met State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, urging the State Election Commission (SEC) to intervene. He called on the Commission to facilitate nominations through an online system or at a centralised location at the SEC office in Amaravati, and to arrange police escorts with respective Superintendents of Police taking personal responsibility. '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,' he said.

He warned that if candidates were facing obstacles at the nomination stage itself, conditions during actual polling would be far worse, making Central force deployment essential.

Chandrababu Naidu in the Crosshairs

Jagan Mohan Reddy directly accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of directing the SEC and police to obstruct nominations, alleging Naidu was 'scared of defeat.' He also claimed Naidu had breached every promise made during the 2024 elections and therefore lacked the moral standing to seek fresh votes. The allegations — which the ruling coalition has not immediately responded to on record — reflect a sharp escalation in pre-poll tensions in the state.

Next Steps Jagan Outlined

The YSRCP chief said he intended to meet the Andhra Pradesh Governor to impress upon him the need to formally request the deployment of paramilitary forces. He also urged the SEC to raise the matter directly with authorities in New Delhi. Asserting that 'this was a passing phase,' he warned that 'all erring persons will have to face the consequences in the coming days.' The SEC's response to these representations is awaited, and the broader conduct of local body elections in Andhra Pradesh is now under national scrutiny.