Jagan Mohan Reddy protests at RO's office, demands repoll in all 80 Pulivendula booths
Synopsis
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy sat in protest outside the Returning Officer's office in his own home constituency of Pulivendula, alleging that YSRCP polling agents were locked out of 70 of 80 municipal booths — and that TDP workers brought from outside the town, backed by police inaction, were responsible. With a formal repoll demand now on the table, the civic body election has turned into a flashpoint test of post-2024 political power in YSRCP's traditional heartland.
Key Takeaways
Jagan Mohan Reddy staged a sit-in protest outside the RO's office in Pulivendula on 1 November 2026 during Pulivendula Municipality elections.
He alleged YSRCP polling agents were barred from 70 out of 80 polling booths — allowed to function in only 10 booths .
He filed a formal representation demanding cancellation of polling and a repoll in all 80 booths .
He alleged TDP workers from outside Pulivendula forcibly prevented agents from entering and tore their authorisation forms, with alleged police complicity.
He demanded preservation of CCTV footage , immediate inquiry, referral to the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission , and legal action against those responsible.
Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy and other YSRCP leaders participated in the protest.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy staged a sit-in protest outside the Returning Officer's (RO) office in Pulivendula, YSR Kadapa district, on 1 November 2026, demanding a re-poll across all 80 polling booths of Pulivendula Municipality. He alleged that YSRCP polling agents had been forcibly barred from entering 70 of the 80 booths, raising serious questions about the integrity of the local civic body election.
What Triggered the Protest
Jagan Mohan Reddy arrived at the RO's office to personally present his grievances and seek official intervention, but officials reportedly refused to allow the former Chief Minister entry. In response, he sat down outside the office in a public demonstration of defiance. He was joined by Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy and other senior YSRCP leaders.
Earlier, upon arriving in his home constituency, Reddy met YSRCP cadres who were allegedly attacked by workers of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) — an accusation the TDP has not yet formally responded to.
Key Allegations Against TDP and Police
In a formal written representation to the Returning Officer, Reddy alleged that persons reportedly associated with the TDP had 'forcibly prevented authorised polling agents from entering polling stations and torn their authorisation forms' at 70 out of 80 booths. He further claimed that TDP workers were brought in from outside Pulivendula and that the police and other officials allegedly enabled or tolerated such conduct.
'These incidents represent serious violations of the safeguards necessary for free, fair and transparent elections,' Reddy stated in his representation.
Demands Placed Before the Returning Officer
The YSRCP chief formally demanded the cancellation of the entire polling process and the conduct of fresh elections in all 80 booths. His representation also called for an immediate inquiry into the reported incidents, preservation of all CCTV footage, polling records, and related evidence, as well as recording of statements from affected polling agents and Presiding Officers.
He additionally sought an immediate referral to the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission with a recommendation for re-polling, legal action against those found responsible, and adequate security cover for YSRCP agents during any future repoll.
Scale and Context of the Allegations
Of the 80 polling booths in Pulivendula Municipality, YSRCP polling agents were reportedly allowed to function in only 10 booths — meaning agents were allegedly excluded from 70 booths, or 87.5% of all polling stations in the constituency. Pulivendula is Jagan Mohan Reddy's home assembly segment and has historically been an YSRCP stronghold, making the alleged exclusion politically significant.
This comes amid a broader period of political turbulence in Andhra Pradesh following the YSRCP's loss in the 2024 Assembly elections, with the party now operating as the principal opposition to the TDP-led government. The civic body polls are being closely watched as an early indicator of YSRCP's grassroots standing in its home base.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission is yet to formally respond to the demands for a repoll as of the time of reporting.
Point of View
The one district it cannot afford to lose credibility in. The allegation that agents were excluded from 87.5% of booths is extraordinary if proven, but the YSRCP has a structural incentive to escalate optics given its diminished legislative position since 2024. The real accountability question falls on the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission: whether it acts swiftly on the CCTV and records preservation demand will determine whether this protest remains symbolic or becomes a genuine electoral integrity case.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jagan Mohan Reddy protest outside the RO's office in Pulivendula?
Jagan Mohan Reddy protested because he alleged that YSRCP polling agents were forcibly prevented from entering 70 of the 80 polling booths during the Pulivendula Municipality civic body elections on 1 November 2026. He went to the Returning Officer's office to seek intervention but was denied entry, prompting the sit-in.
What has Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded from the authorities?
He has demanded cancellation of the entire polling process and a fresh re-poll in all 80 booths of Pulivendula Municipality. He has also called for preservation of CCTV footage, an immediate inquiry, referral to the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission, and legal action against those responsible.
What are the specific allegations against TDP in Pulivendula?
The YSRCP alleges that persons associated with the TDP forcibly barred authorised YSRCP polling agents from entering 70 polling stations and tore their authorisation forms. Jagan Mohan Reddy further alleged that TDP workers were brought in from outside Pulivendula and that police and officials supported or tolerated the conduct.
Who participated in the protest with Jagan Mohan Reddy?
Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy and several other senior YSRCP leaders joined Jagan Mohan Reddy at the sit-in protest outside the Returning Officer's office in Pulivendula.
What is the significance of Pulivendula in this political context?
Pulivendula is Jagan Mohan Reddy's home assembly constituency and a traditional YSRCP stronghold. The alleged exclusion of YSRCP agents from the majority of booths during local civic body polls is politically significant, particularly as the party seeks to rebuild its grassroots presence following its defeat in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections.
