YSRCP slams TDP coalition for undermining democracy in the local body elections

Anantapur, Nov  6: YSRCP leaders in Anantapur district accused the Chandrababu Naidu government of preventing voters from casting their votes and candidates from filing nominations, and of weakening the local election process through alleged misuse of official machinery.

Addressing the media at the party office, former minister Dr. Sake Sailajanath and former MP Talari Rangaiah said police and revenue officials had intimidated women at their homes, detained YSRCP workers under binding proceedings and treated ruling and opposition party members differently at polling stations. They described uncontested seats in 22 urban local bodies, 84 ZPTCs and 2,198 MPTCs as a dark chapter in democratic history.

Sailajanath urged poor people, including SC, ST, BC and minority communities, to protect their right to vote. He asked YSRCP agents to remain alert during counting and bring every irregularity before the public.

Talari Rangaiah alleged that YSRCP leaders were detained, agents assaulted at counting centres, round-wise results withheld and postal ballot figures not disclosed. He also cited complaints about groups entering polling centres in vehicles in Kalyandurg and incidents in several nearby villages, saying no action followed complaints to district officials.

The leaders called for every vote and ballot bundle to be counted fairly, and urged agents to remain at counting centres until the process is complete. They said they would present evidence of alleged irregularities to the public.