Vijayawada, Oct 21: YSRCP demanded immediate protection for candidates, restoration of law and order and removal of partisan police and revenue officials after submitting a representation to the State Election Commissioner on obstruction during ZPTC and MPTC nominations.
Addressing the media, MLC Lella Appi Reddy said the abuses witnessed during municipal nominations were being repeated in parishad elections. Candidates were stopped, nomination papers torn and women attacked. Police blocked candidates accompanying MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy in Kadapa, while barricades around Madanapalle’s nomination centre prevented entry. Injured ZPTC candidates were undergoing hospital treatment in several districts.
Appi Reddy said Supreme Court intervention exposed the SEC’s failure. He demanded removal of biased officials and warned that YSRCP would approach the Court again if necessary. “Our struggle is to protect democracy,” he declared.
MLC Kalpalatha Reddy said nomination obstruction extended across more than ten districts. She welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention concerning nomination complaints in 19 municipalities and called for strict implementation of its directions, effective protection and adequate time for candidates to submit nominations. Continued non-compliance would invite further legal action.
Former MLA T.J.R. Sudhakar Babu described the intervention as a historic moment for democracy. Across 19 urban local bodies, YSRCP could not file nominations in 459 of 722 wards, he said, highlighting obstruction in Piduguralla, Gurazala, Punganur, Rayachoti and Dachepalli.
He demanded that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accept moral responsibility and that the DGP and Home Minister resign. The leaders urged immediate SEC action to guarantee nomination access and respect the people’s verdict.
Supreme Court intervention rebukes Naidu govt: YSRCP
