Andhra Pradesh local polls: YSRCP welcomes Supreme Court directions, urges SEC to ensure free and fair polls

Attacks on opposition candidates and obstruction of nominations continue despite court intervention, claims YSRCP leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. | Photo credit: File Photo

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s directions regarding local body elections in Andhra Pradesh and urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to exercise its powers and ensure free and fair polls.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the YSRCP had made out a prima facie case in its plea seeking extension of the deadline for filing nominations for the Andhra Pradesh municipal body elections. The State Election Commission ordered to postpone the publication of the final list of candidates until October 25.

Addressing the media at the YSRCP headquarters in Tadepalli, Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that attacks on opposition candidates, tampering with nominations and tearing of nomination papers continued despite the court’s intervention.

He claimed 76 incidents were reported from 11 districts on Wednesday, including assaults, police-assisted detention, house arrest, threats and seizure or destruction of nomination papers. He said YSRCP will bring the latest incidents to the notice of the Supreme Court.

Welcoming the court’s directions on municipal election complaints, he said the SEC should take action against officials allegedly favoring the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He urged the SEC to get reports from district collectors and superintendents of police and ensure CCTV surveillance at nomination centres.

Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that opposition candidates face pressure to withdraw nominations, threats of false criminal cases and obstruction during scrutiny. According to him, complaints to the SEC and police authorities did not resolve the issues, prompting the party to approach the Supreme Court.

The YSRCP leader accused the AP government of trying to blame the violence on the opposition.

He claimed that the YSRCP workers are reticent and are relying on legal remedies. The SEC and the Director General of Police are expected to follow the directions of the Supreme Court and submit the required compliance report, he said.

“YSRCP believes in the judiciary. We expect the election process to be conducted in accordance with the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders demanded that opposition party candidates be given protection and action be taken against officials indulging in partisan behavior and acting under political influence.

YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy, after submitting her representation to the SEC, said irregularities related to nominations for ZPTC and MPTC elections are recurring.

Referring to the Kadapa and Madanapalle incidents, he said that some of the injured candidates have been hospitalised.

Former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu said party candidates could not file nominations in 459 out of 722 constituencies in 19 urban local bodies. He cited the alleged obstructions during the nomination process in Piduguralla, Gurazale, Punganur, Rayachoti and Dachepalli and demanded that the Chief Minister take moral responsibility.

He called for the resignation of the director general of the police and the minister of the interior.

Former Peddireddi minister Ramachandra Reddy and Peddireddi MP Midhun Reddy alleged that cases were filed against YSRCP leaders while those responsible for the attacks were not held accountable.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 23:11 IST