Amaravati, Nov 2026 : Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday accused the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government of manipulating the local body election process and undermining democratic institutions. He alleged that the ruling alliance had misused official machinery to influence the polls, from the nomination stage to counting.
Addressing the media, Jagan claimed that the electoral process had been systematically hijacked and that the coalition government's victory in urban local body elections amounted to a moral defeat. He maintained that the Opposition had won the confidence of people despite what he described as the subversion of the electoral mandate.
“The entire election process was hijacked by Chandrababu and his people, mocking democracy at every stage—from nominations to scrutiny, withdrawals, polling and even counting. Such an exercise does not merit being called an election, as it was neither free nor fair,” he said.
The YSRCP chief alleged that similar irregularities had taken place during the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) elections. He claimed that Opposition candidates were prevented from filing nominations by the police and ruling party supporters, while several nominations were rejected during scrutiny.
He further alleged that YSRCP polling agents were attacked, votes were rigged and ballot-related irregularities took place in several constituencies.
Jagan cited areas including Tekkali, Kotabommali, Darsi, Kanigiri and Palamaner, as well as Vemula and Lingala mandals in the Pulivendula constituency, alleging that voters were prevented from exercising their franchise and police personnel acted in favour of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
He also claimed that YSRCP workers and booth agents were attacked with petrol bombs despite directions issued by the Supreme Court. Displaying video clips of alleged violence during municipal and local body elections, he questioned the conduct of the ruling coalition and accused it of using force to influence the outcome.
The former Chief Minister alleged that polling figures in the municipal elections had been manipulated, claiming that the numbers recorded at counting tables were inflated and exceeded the figures officially announced after polling.
Jagan also criticised Naidu over what he described as the government's failure to fulfil promises made to women, farmers and young people. He questioned why voters would support the Chief Minister when, according to him, several sections of society had been let down.
Accusing the coalition government of favouring private interests, Jagan alleged that medical colleges and ports were being handed over to private entities. He also criticised the government's response to the impact of two cyclones in the state, claiming that the concerns of ordinary people had been ignored.
Describing the conduct of the elections as material for a case study on electoral reforms, Jagan said the Opposition had exposed the alleged irregularities at the national level.
He contrasted his government's earlier slogan of “Safe Andhra” with the present demand for “Save Andhra”, claiming that people were increasingly dissatisfied with the coalition administration.
“Like Shakuni’s magic dice in the Mahabharata, Chandrababu has rolled the official machinery in favour of the coalition. But we fought bravely and exposed the misdeeds at the national level,” he said.
The allegations were made by the YSRCP chief while criticising the ruling coalition's handling of the local body elections.
