The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday, 10 August strongly condemned what it described as police highhandedness against its leaders and cadres staging peaceful demonstrations across Andhra Pradesh, demanding a CBI enquiry into alleged irregularities in District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitment and the resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh. The party said police detentions, barricades, and alleged intimidation tactics failed to suppress the statewide stir.

What YSRCP Alleged

YSRCP national spokesperson Y. Karthik accused the ruling government of deploying police to silence democratic opposition rather than addressing legitimate concerns raised by DSC aspirants. 'Instead of answering the serious questions being asked by DSC aspirants, the government is using the police to suppress the democratic protest across constituencies,' he said.

Karthik questioned the government's intent, asking why political leaders and activists 'only demanding justice for unemployed youth' were being stopped and detained. He maintained that peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected democratic right and warned that police force would neither bury the DSC issue nor make the questions disappear.

Police Action Across the State

According to the party, police detained several YSRCP leaders across Andhra Pradesh, served notices, and allegedly warned them of legal cases if they participated in the rallies. Barricades and preventive restrictions were reportedly imposed at multiple locations to block leaders and cadres from joining the demonstrations.

Tension reportedly prevailed in Pulivendula after police allegedly resorted to a lathi charge during what the party described as a peaceful rally — an allegation that authorities have not publicly confirmed. This is among the more serious flashpoints reported from the day's protests.

Protests Continue Despite Restrictions

Despite the reported detentions, notices, and barricades, YSRCP said rallies continued across assembly constituencies with large participation. DSC aspirants and unemployed youth reportedly joined party cadres on the streets, keeping the spotlight on the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

The party stated that the Naidu government may detain leaders and erect barricades, but 'cannot stop the fight for justice.' YSRCP reiterated its demand for an impartial CBI enquiry into the DSC irregularities and said its 'democratic struggle will continue' until accountability is delivered.

The DSC Controversy

The DSC recruitment process in Andhra Pradesh has drawn sustained scrutiny from opposition parties and job aspirants who allege procedural irregularities. YSRCP has been pressing for a CBI-led independent probe and the ouster of Education Minister Nara Lokesh, who is also the son of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The government has not publicly responded to the specific allegations detailed in the party's statements.

What Comes Next

YSRCP has indicated it will sustain the agitation until a CBI enquiry is ordered and accountability established. The scale of Monday's protests — spanning multiple assembly constituencies despite police restrictions — signals that the DSC issue is unlikely to fade quickly from Andhra Pradesh's political landscape.