Jagan warns NDA of retaliation if YSRCP cadres are targeted

YSRCP chief accuses TDP of using police to intimidate opposition candidates; questions fairness of local body elections

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has warned leaders of the ruling NDA that they would face severe retaliation in the future if they targeted his party cadres.

Mr. Jagan accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of manipulating election rules to target opposition parties while misleading the Election Commission.

"Let us place our manifestos before the public and seek the voters' mandate. Victory is real only when there are opponents in the fray. Keeping everyone away and claiming victory is a matter of shame," he said.

Referring to the NDA's claim of having won 17 urban local bodies in the State unanimously even before the elections, Mr. Jagan questioned whether the process was free and fair and whether opposition candidates had been given an opportunity to file nominations.

He also criticised the ruling party for allegedly targeting YSRCP candidates in Pulivendula, where his party could file nominations in only 20 of the 40 wards. Of the seven ZPTC seats in the constituency, the YSRCP could contest in only four, he said, blaming what he termed the "atrocious rule" of the NDA government.

Mr. Jagan questioned the role of the State Election Commission (SEC) and the police in addressing what he described as blatant violations by the ruling dispensation.

"Despite the Supreme Court's directions, the SEC, Collectors and Superintendents of Police, who are part of the system, have not changed for the better," he said.

Seeking to instil confidence among party candidates, Mr. Jagan urged them to resist alleged police intimidation and safeguard their democratic rights.

He announced that he would visit Pulivendula on the day of the municipal elections to stand by party candidates and voters and ensure that justice was done.