YSRCP calls for contesting every panchayat seat

Tadepalli, Nov 14: YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had directed party supporters to contest every sarpanch and ward seat in the upcoming panchayat elections. 

Addressing parliamentary and Assembly constituency observers by teleconference, Sajjala Rama Krishna Reddy  urged them to ensure a strong contest in every village, regardless of the outcome.

He said panchayat elections are important for strengthening the party at the grassroots and preparing for future elections, even though candidates do not contest on party symbols. Referring to recent municipal, ZPTC and MPTC elections, he alleged that ruling-party leaders had used officials and police to intimidate candidates and obstruct nominations, polling and counting.

Sajjala asked leaders to select candidates based on local support, reservation requirements, leadership ability and capacity to campaign—not financial means alone. Constituency in-charges, local leaders and village committees should make these decisions together and encourage willing candidates to file nominations.

He instructed observers to collect video and photographic evidence of nomination obstruction, intimidation, improper rejection of nominations and alleged police misuse. They should promptly complain to the authorities, preserve evidence for legal action and coordinate unresolved issues with district and regional leaders or the party’s central office.

Observers must visit their assigned areas, monitor nominations closely over the next ten days and submit reports on election preparations, irregularities and party performance. Sajjala said the party had conveyed Jagan’s message to around 1.14 lakh workers and urged leaders to use party, media and social-media networks to highlight election concerns.