Jagan Mohan Reddy Accuses TDP of Rigging Andhra Pradesh Polls
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and communist parties allege widespread rigging and police collusion in Andhra Pradesh local body elections, prompting calls for statewide protests.
YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of rigging the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) elections in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking at a press conference on November 5, Reddy characterized the process as a "selection" rather than an election, alleging that police colluded with TDP workers to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations in 84 ZPTC and 2,109 MPTC seats.
Reddy claimed that the State Election Commissioner acted as a "puppet" for Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, facilitating rigging during polling, ballot box handling, and the final results. He further alleged that the police system deteriorated during the elections, with officers colluding with TDP workers to control the electoral system.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India joined the condemnation, calling for a statewide protest on November 11. CPI(M) secretary V Srinivasa Rao accused the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition of obstructing opposition candidates, blocking polling agents, and arresting opposition leaders to prevent free and fair elections. Polling took place on November 5, with repolling scheduled for November 6 and vote counting set for November 7.
