TDP spokesperson Maddipatla Surya Prakash attacks Jagan Mohan Reddy over democracy claims and says the coalition will ensure free and peaceful local elections.
Mangalagiri, August 21: TDP official spokesperson Maddipatla Surya Prakash has criticised YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy over his recent statements on democracy and the forthcoming local body elections, accusing him of adopting double standards after the political violence alleged during the previous government.
Addressing a media conference at the TDP Central Office, Surya Prakash said Jagan was now speaking about democratic elections despite allegations that opposition candidates were intimidated and nominations were prevented from being contested during the previous local body elections.
He questioned Jagan’s call for a political “war” in the upcoming elections and said voters had already rejected the YSRCP government in the 2024 Assembly elections, reducing the party to 11 seats.
Surya Prakash said the coalition government would ensure free, fair and peaceful local body elections without fear or intimidation.
He recalled Jagan’s pre-2024 election campaign, including the “Siddham” meetings and the slogan “Why Not 175?”, and said the eventual result showed that voters had rejected the YSRCP’s governance.
The TDP spokesperson also rejected allegations of a “Red Book Rajyam” under the coalition government. He said police action was being taken based on evidence and in accordance with law, rather than political considerations.
Surya Prakash referred to several criminal cases involving YSRCP leaders and questioned whether police should refrain from acting when allegations of offences are made.
He cited cases involving leaders including Bolla Brahma Naidu, Seediri Appalaraju, Vallabhaneni Vamsi, Y. Virupakshi, Mustafa, Jogi Ramesh and Anantha Babu, among others.
He alleged that the YSRCP was defending individuals accused of wrongdoing instead of standing with victims. He said the coalition government’s position was that the law should apply equally to everyone.
Surya Prakash alleged that around 60,000 cases were filed against TDP leaders and workers during the previous five-year government.
He referred to the Angallu, Thamballapalle, Punganur and Macherla incidents and alleged that cases were filed against TDP leaders, workers and supporters in several parts of the State.
He also cited cases involving TDP leaders including N. Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, Chintamaneni Prabhakar, Kollu Ravindra, Dhulipalla Narendra, Raghurama Krishnam Raju and Atchannaidu, among others.
Surya Prakash accused Jagan of attempting to mobilise party workers by warning against unanimous victories in the forthcoming local elections.
He described this as a contradiction with the YSRCP’s approach when it was in power and alleged that the party was now adopting a different position after losing office.
He said the people of Andhra Pradesh had already experienced the previous government’s five-year tenure and would not support a return to the same political approach.
Surya Prakash expressed confidence that the coalition would secure a stronger mandate in the forthcoming local elections. He claimed the alliance had achieved a 94 per cent strike rate in the recent Assembly elections and predicted an even higher performance in the upcoming polls.
