YSRCP seeks protection for candidates, removal of 'partisan' officials

Vijayawada: YSRCP leaders on Wednesday demanded immediate protection for opposition candidates, the removal of partisan police and revenue officials, and strict implementation of Supreme Court’s directions on complaints of nomination obstruction in the local body elections. They also accused NDA govt of using intimidation and official machinery to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations.

Welcoming Supreme Court’s intervention over complaints from 19 urban local bodies, the leaders said repeated representations to State Election Commission (SEC) failed to secure relief, forcing the party to approach the apex court. They alleged that the intervention exposed the failure of govt and election authorities to ensure a level playing field.

A delegation led by YSRCP general secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy met election commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha on Wednesday and apprised him of the alleged irregularities. The leaders claimed that the obstruction reported during municipal nominations was being repeated in ZPTC and MPTC elections, with candidates being prevented from entering nomination centres, nomination papers torn and women attacked.

Appi Reddy alleged that police obstructed candidates accompanying MP YS Avinash Reddy in Kadapa, while barricades prevented access to a nomination centre in Madanapalle. He said several injured candidates were undergoing treatment in hospitals, and demanded adequate time for candidates to file nominations, effective security arrangements and the removal of officials allegedly acting under political pressure.

He warned that the party would approach the court again if its directions were not implemented. MLC Kalpalatha Reddy said nomination obstruction had been reported in more than 10 districts.

She demanded equal access to nomination centres for candidates and their proposers, strict compliance with judicial directions and accountability for officials found responsible for violations. Former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu claimed that YSRCP had been prevented from filing nominations in 459 of the 722 wards across 19 urban local bodies.

Citing Piduguralla, Gurazala, Punganur, Rayachoti and Dachepalli, he alleged large-scale obstruction in several areas. He demanded that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu accept moral responsibility and appealed for the resignations of the DGP and the home minister.

Former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy said Supreme Court’s intervention reaffirms the opposition’s right to contest elections fairly. He alleged that cases were being filed against MP Midhun Reddy and party workers who had faced attacks, describing the action as vindictive.

Midhun Reddy urged Naidu and minister Nara Lokesh to stop the alleged intimidation and attempts to secure unopposed victories. Bhumana Karunakar Reddy questioned govt’s claims that the elections were proceeding smoothly, arguing that the need for judicial intervention contradicted those assertions.

The YSRCP leaders appealed for impartial policing, CCTV surveillance at nomination centres, protection for candidates and action against officials found guilty of partisan conduct. They said the party would pursue legal remedies wherever violations continued, maintaining that electoral outcomes should reflect voters’ choices rather than intimidation.

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