YSRCP protests erupt across Andhra Pradesh over Mega DSC-2025 teacher recruitment irregularities
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Tuesday, 28 July staged simultaneous protests across Andhra Pradesh, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the Mega DSC-2025 teacher recruitment process. Demonstrations were held in Vijayawada, Nellore, Tirupati, Nandyal, and several other districts, as the opposition party escalated its campaign against the state's coalition government.
Key Demands
YSRCP is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh, holding him morally responsible for the alleged District Selection Committee (DSC) irregularities. Protesters called for a CBI investigation into the recruitment process, citing alleged question paper leaks, irregular Sports Quota appointments, and the denial of opportunities to eligible candidates.
The party also flagged the NEET paper leak controversy, pending fee reimbursement dues allegedly running into thousands of crores, and the coalition government's reported failure to deliver on its promised unemployment allowance.
City-by-City Protests
In Vijayawada, a large rally organised by YSRCP's youth and student wings marched from Sambamurthy Nagar to Dharna Chowk, led by NTR District President Devineni Avinash, former minister Vellampalli Srinivas, former MLA Malladi Vishnu, and student wing state Working President Ravichandra.
In Nellore, hundreds marched from the Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue to Gandhi Bomma Centre, led by former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy and MLC Parvathareddy Chandrasekhar Reddy.
In Tirupati, former minister R.K. Roja addressed demonstrators, alleging that the recruitment process was marred by paper leaks and irregular Sports Quota appointments. She stated that ₹7,000 crore in fee reimbursement dues remain pending and warned that the party's agitation would continue until accountability is fixed.
In Nandyal, YSRCP leaders, students, and unemployed youth rallied against the alleged DSC irregularities, with Katasani Ram Bhupal Reddy, Rami Reddy, and MLC Isaq Basha among those in attendance.
Tense Standoff in Narasannapeta
The most charged scenes unfolded in Narasannapeta, where a heavy police contingent blocked a planned YSRCP student-youth rally. Hundreds of students and youth from four mandals had gathered under the leadership of Dr Dharmana Krishna Chaitanya and were preparing to leave in a convoy of nearly 50 vehicles when police intervened, citing prohibitory orders on large public gatherings.
Dr Chaitanya demanded written reasons for the restrictions. YSRCP leaders condemned the police action as an attempt to suppress democratic protests.
Context and What's Next
The Mega DSC-2025 was intended to fill a significant backlog of teacher vacancies across Andhra Pradesh, making the alleged irregularities politically sensitive for the ruling coalition. This is the latest in a series of confrontations between YSRCP and the state government since the party's electoral defeat in 2024. With the party warning that agitation will intensify, the pressure on Education Minister Lokesh and the coalition government is set to mount in the coming weeks.