TDP's assault on democracy in local bodies by-polls

Tadepalli, March 29: Former Minister Merugu Nagarjuna strongly condemned the large-scale irregularities and violence by the TDP-led alliance in the recent local bodies by-elections. Speaking at the YSRCP central office, he criticized the Election Commission for inaction despite receiving substantial evidence and demanded strict action against officials who colluded with the ruling alliance, warning that such negligence undermines democracy.

He accused the ruling alliance of using coercion, violence, and government machinery to manipulate election results, despite lacking public support. He highlighted instances where TDP leaders forcibly draped YSRCP-elected representatives in TDP scarves to falsely claim them.

Nagarjuna questioned whether Chandrababu Naidu’s previous victory was truly a public mandate or electoral manipulation. Fearing another defeat, the ruling alliance resorted to intimidation, attacks, and police misuse against YSRCP candidates. He cited blatant fraud in Ramakuppam and similar incidents in Anantapur, West Godavari, Prakasam, and Palnadu, where opposition candidates were threatened and coerced.

He warned that the Election Commission’s silence is eroding public trust in democracy and called for immediate corrective measures to ensure electoral integrity.