Stop Arresting Victims: YSRCP Slams 'Partisan' Police Conduct
YSRCP leaders demand State Election Commission action against politically motivated arrests and police bias ahead of local elections.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has launched a scathing attack on the current administration in Andhra Pradesh, urging the State Election Commission to intervene against what they describe as partisan police conduct. The party leaders have accused the police of targeting opposition candidates and protecting ruling party supporters to tilt the scales of upcoming elections.
Demands for Immediate Police Overhaul
YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy and former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu have submitted formal representations to the State Election Commission. In a bold move, the party has sought the immediate removal of 59 police officers from election duties, alleging that these officials are acting with clear political bias.
The leaders claim that the police are not just failing to protect victims but are actively criminalizing them. Appi Reddy highlighted a specific incident where the residence of Deepthi Reddy, a mayoral candidate in Kadapa, was attacked. According to the YSRCP, instead of arresting the perpetrators, the police registered cases against the victims themselves.
Allegations of 'Red Book' Tactics and Kidnappings
The YSRCP leadership alleges a systematic attempt to prevent their candidates from participating in the MPTC and ZPTC elections through the strategic filing of criminal cases. Appi Reddy pointed to two FIRs in Pulivendula that named Raghava Reddy and hundreds of others, characterizing these arrests as the implementation of a "Red Book constitution."
Further grievances include:
- Detentions of SC Leaders: Dasari Veeraiah, a Scheduled Caste leader from Duggirala, was reportedly detained under the PD Act, which the party claims is a move driven by the ruling party's fear of his electoral influence.
- Kidnapping Claims: The YSRCP chairperson candidate in Kuppam was allegedly kidnapped, a move the party contrasted with the freedom TDP candidates enjoyed during previous YSRCP governance.
- Information Blockade: Candidates seeking details regarding criminal cases filed against them are allegedly being denied necessary information.
Disputes Over Nominations and Voter Rolls
The party is also pushing for transparency in the nomination process. While the Joint Director has stated that police certificates are not mandatory for nominations, the YSRCP is demanding uniform written instructions and the permission to use self-declared affidavits.
Additionally, the party has raised a legal concern regarding electoral rolls. They are demanding that the commission use rolls incorporating approved changes up to July 15, as directed by the High Court, rather than relying on outdated lists from February.
A 'Climate of Fear' During Navaratri
Former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu took a personal swipe at the leadership of the ruling TDP, claiming that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has transformed the festive period of Navaratri into a "period of fear" by targeting women and opposition members.
Sudhakar Babu also questioned Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, asking why he remained silent despite his frequent public declarations regarding Sanatana Dharma. He asserted that many government officials are now behaving like TDP party workers.
Vow for Justice
The YSRCP leaders have made it clear that they will not back down. They have vowed to take their grievances to the Supreme Court, human rights organizations, and election authorities. If necessary, they stated they would approach the Prime Minister to ensure the protection of their party workers.
"Democracy must be decided through ballots, not bullets,"
the leaders declared, adding that they are prepared to launch a sit-in or an indefinite hunger strike until justice is served.