NDA Accuses YSRCP of Obstructing AP Local Body Polls, Reaffirms Respect for CEC

Amaravati: The NDA alliance in Andhra Pradesh, comprising Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and BJP chief P V N Madhav, has criticised the YSRCP for attempting to stall local body elections through legal battles and unrest.

The statement comes in the wake of the State Election Commission halting polls in 100 urban local bodies (ULB), following Supreme Court (SC) orders.

"NDA alliance will respect the State Election Commission's decisions. YSRCP is trying to stop local body elections through conspiracies," said the NDA leaders' statement late on Wednesday.

The YSRCP had approached the apex court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP), challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court's October 18 order refusing to extend the nomination deadline, which ended on the same day.

Today, the SEC is expected to issue an order extending the last date for filing nominations in line with the SC's orders.

According to Naidu, and Madhav, the YSR Congress Party, "which has shown no responsibility towards public welfare or the state's development," has been allegedly trying to stop these elections from the very beginning.

"It has approached various courts 59 times in an attempt to halt the (poll) process. Now that the hurdles have been cleared and elections are underway, YSRCP has provoked violence in several places, attacked police personnel and dug up roads built for the public. It continues to look for ways to disrupt the elections," they claimed.

However, the NDA trio asserted that the coalition government is committed to ensuring that elections are transparent, democratic and peaceful.

At this point, people should also recall how local body elections were conducted during the previous YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024, said Naidu, and Madhav.

Violence and intimidation had created fear across the state, they alleged, adding that opposition candidates were prevented from even filing nominations.

YSRCP then celebrated these forced outcomes as victories, they alleged. "The situation was so serious that the then State Election Commissioner wrote to the Central Government about forced unanimous elections and irregularities by the ruling party. Following the Commissioner's request for protection, the Centre provided security through central forces," said the statement.

Today, when local elections are being conducted lawfully, YSRCP is making every effort to obstruct them, the NDA leaders claimed, adding that this "reflects its approach of intimidation and suppression."

"Our goal is clear: elections must be held in accordance with the constitution, people must be free to elect good leaders, and the benefits of development must reach every household," said the ruling parties' leaders.

Further, the NDA leaders observed that they believe that strong local bodies are essential for the overall development of the state.

Timely elections are also important for receiving funds from the 16th Finance Commission and the central government, they said.

Our aim is to complete the elections within the prescribed time and take development forward through local self-government, they said.

"We contested the 2024 elections with a promise to rebuild Andhra Pradesh. The people placed their trust in us and gave the alliance the responsibility to govern," said the statement, quoting the TDP supremo, and Madhav.

For the past two years, we have focused on welfare, development and good governance, they said, adding "we have restored people's confidence and created an environment where they can live peacefully."