The war of words over Andhra Pradesh's local body polls sharpened on Saturday. In the afternoon, CM N. Chandrababu Naidu attacked YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy at a press conference in Mangalagiri. At night, YSRCP leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy replied from the party's central office in Tadepalli.
What Naidu said
- Jagan keeps filing petitions in court to stall the elections.
- Jagan wants to show a collapse of law and order so he can push for President's Rule.
- He rejected claims that YSRCP candidates were blocked from filing. He said police gave them security and took them to the centres in official vehicles.
- He said 24% of MPTC seats in the state went uncontested in 2021 because of intimidation.
Sajjala's reply
Sajjala said the CM is bringing up Jagan's family, property and personal life to avoid questions on poll violence and irregularities. He asked why nomination papers were torn inside government offices, and why valid nominations were rejected even though candidates held receipts.
He demanded that CCTV footage be released and an independent probe be ordered. He said YSRCP leaders are being kept under house arrest despite Supreme Court directions. He also wants a probe into claims that TDP supporters filed fake nominations in the YSRCP's name, and asked the State Election Commission to examine the footage, receipts and rejection records itself.
The government and the State Election Commission have not yet responded to Sajjala's charges.
