YSRCP slams TDP coalition over undemocratic ZPTC and MPTC polls

Nellore, Nov. 6: YSRCP has condemned the coalition government for conducting the Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad elections in an undemocratic manner, disregarding Supreme Court directives and misusing official machinery on a large scale.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy said YSRCP voters, polling agents and leaders were prevented from participating in the election process. He alleged that the police and official machinery openly sided with the ruling coalition.

“Active members of our party were detained at police stations or placed under house arrest on the pretext that they could cause trouble. Meanwhile, ruling party members moved freely, resorted to rigging and vote cycling, drove away YSRCP agents and attacked our supporters. In some places, our cadre were forced out of their villages,” he said.

Kakani said complaints to senior officials had yielded no action. He added that the police had failed to explain why YSRCP cadre were detained. He also alleged that TDP workers attacked YSRCP cadre in several places while the police remained silent spectators.

Condemning the police high-handedness towards former Atmakur MLA Mekapati Vikram Reddy, Kakani questioned how a sitting minister could be present at polling stations. He alleged that ministers and MLAs themselves were involved in booth capturing.

He urged the District Collector to cancel the elections and order fresh polls wherever ruling party MLAs or ministers had visited polling stations in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He also said TDP workers had attempted to attack YSRCP’s Gudur constituency in-charge, Guravaiah.

“How can the Constitution be protected when the police themselves are involved in rigging?” Kakani asked. He demanded action against the officials responsible.