Andhra civic poll results do not reflect people’s mandate, says Congress chief YS Sharmila

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President YS Sharmila. It has alleged intimidation and malpractices in local municipal body elections in the state. File | Photo credit: KVS Giri

Andhra Pradesh Congress president YS Sharmila has alleged widespread intimidation, coercion and electoral malpractices in the recently concluded municipal body elections, saying the victories of the ruling alliance parties do not reflect the people’s mandate.

In a statement released on X on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), Ms. Sharmila questioned the credibility of the election process and alleged that the TDP-led ruling alliance had declared itself victorious without respecting the people’s choice. She questioned the importance of electoral transparency, free and fair elections and democratic accountability under the prevailing circumstances.

You have cast your votes. You have declared victory. What about people and democracy? What is the value of transparency in elections? What does freedom and impartiality mean? Alliance in municipal results @ncbn @JaiTDP @JanaSenaParty @BJP4 Andhra party’s victory is not a public verdict.. It is a vindication of power religion and demonic philosophy. This is not a real victory for the Allies. It is a forced victory achieved by suppressing the voice of the people and suppressing the opposition. The right to vote is the highest right granted to the people by the constitution. Such sacred law was written down by the power of authority. The electoral commission became a coalition commission, the police system was under wraps and the electoral system of this country was redefined. Coalition parties should be ashamed of defaming the state before the nation. Bullies and jerks were used to force unanimity. Opposition candidates were kicked out. Where elections were held, ballot boxes were seized by force. People were intimidated into not voting. Such acts of rewriting the voter’s verdict are an ax to the very survival of democracy and the height of system destruction! The people of the state should recognize this. @INC_Andhra

— YS Sharmila (@realyssharmila) November 4, 2026

She accused the ruling alliance of abusing the official machinery, bringing the Election Commission under its influence and using the police force to suppress the opposition, and said that the victories of the TDP, the Jana Sena Party and the BJP were more the result of authoritarian behavior and suppression of democratic votes than genuine public support.

She described the alleged practices as a serious threat to the survival of democracy and an indication of the destruction of institutional independence, saying that the right to vote is a fundamental democratic right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Ms Sharmila said the ruling alliance should be ashamed of itself for bringing Andhra Pradesh into disrepute at the national level with its alleged election rigging. She urged people to be aware of the dangers such practices pose to democratic institutions and electoral integrity.

Published – November 4, 2026 1:25 PM IST