YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, declared that a campaign of alleged attacks, intimidation and criminal cases would not deter the party from contesting local body elections in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the media at YSRCP's central office in Tadepalli, Sajjala alleged that the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government was systematically suppressing electoral competition ahead of municipal, MPTC and ZPTC polls.

Demand for Judicial Inquiry into Police Firing

Sajjala demanded an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into police firing in Pulivendula, alleging that officers opened fire without provocation while opposition candidates attempted to file nominations for municipal elections. He claimed that police went beyond merely facilitating the ruling party — directly attacking and obstructing YSRCP candidates — while shielding TDP groups at the scene.

He charged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and allied media were portraying forced, uncontested victories as a sign of public support, while blaming YSRCP for violence allegedly committed by ruling-party groups. 'Seats secured through intimidation cannot establish public support,' Sajjala said.

Key Incidents Cited Across Constituencies

Sajjala cited multiple specific incidents across the state. In Duggirala, within Minister Lokesh's Mangalagiri constituency, the Preventive Detention Act was allegedly invoked against senior Dalit leader Rajaiah to prevent his participation in the forthcoming MPP election. Caste and no-dues certificates were reportedly being delayed, while candidates faced threats even after filing nominations.

In Tirupati, candidate J.B. Srinivas was allegedly threatened at home by a Jana Sena candidate's husband. In Kadapa, police reportedly stopped around 40–50 prospective candidates and rejected 10–12 nominations. The mayoral candidate's residence was allegedly attacked on Monday night to force a withdrawal, while Deputy Mayor Nithyananda Reddy faced an attempt-to-murder case.

In Pulivendula, two attempt-to-murder cases reportedly covered candidate Raghava Reddy and others, with 921 grassroots leaders facing cases allegedly designed to keep them away from polls. In Rayachoti, Srikanth Reddy's office was burned, yet counter-cases were registered against 300 people. Non-bailable cases reportedly followed in Kadapa and Darsi as well.

SEC and Government Under Fire

Sajjala said candidates in Chittoor were recording videos to guard against forged or coerced nomination withdrawals. He added that YSRCP had made repeated requests to the State Election Commission (SEC) to remove complicit officers, but received no effective response. Instead of campaigning on the ruling alliance's governance record, he said, the party was being forced to protect its own candidates from physical intimidation.

He rejected the framing of these incidents as ordinary electoral clashes requiring standard police intervention, calling instead for immediate SEC action and judicial scrutiny of what he described as organised intimidation.

YSRCP's Resolve and Legal Strategy

Despite the alleged intimidation, Sajjala said the party would continue its legal battle up to the Supreme Court, expose government failures and contest wherever possible. 'We will move forward, contest wherever possible and respect the people's verdict,' he said, demanding that all candidates receive a genuine opportunity to contest without fear.

This comes amid a broader pattern of pre-poll tension in Andhra Pradesh as the state heads into local body elections — a contest that will serve as an important post-assembly barometer for both the ruling alliance and the opposition YSRCP.