A.P. local body polls: Minister Durgesh accuses former CM Jagan of trying to derail elections fearing defeat

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh addresses a press conference. File

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh has accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of attempting to derail local body elections out of fear of defeat, alleging that the Opposition party was approaching courts to obstruct the electoral process.

In a statement on Friday (October 23, 2026), Mr. Durgesh said the YSRCP had lost public confidence and was trying to prevent an electoral defeat through legal challenges. He alleged that the party was resorting to violence and bringing in rowdies and bouncers from other States to create unrest during the elections.

The Minister accused Mr. Jagan of hypocrisy over unanimous elections, pointing out that the former Chief Minister had praised unanimous victories during the YSRCP regime in 2021 but was now questioning the practice. He alleged that candidates had been forced to withdraw their nominations through intimidation during the previous government’s tenure.

Mr. Durgesh asserted that the coalition government was committed to conducting elections democratically and peacefully and claimed that the YSRCP had filed more nominations than the Telugu Desam Party, questioning how the coalition could be accused of obstructing the Opposition if it had allowed so many nominations.

He expressed confidence that the coalition would achieve a 100 % strike rate, citing what he described as public satisfaction with the government’s performance over the past two years and the implementation of its Super Six poll promises.

Accusing Mr. Jagan of pursuing destructive politics, Mr. Durgesh cited the demolition of Praja Vedika at the beginning of the previous government’s tenure and alleged that politically motivated decisions on development projects and employment had set the State back.

He further alleged that the YSRCP was using court cases to obstruct elections and delay funds meant for local bodies, thereby affecting development and public welfare and urged the State Election Commission to cancel the YSRCP’s recognition as a political party and take strict action against leaders responsible for alleged violence in Punganur, Rayachoti, Thamballapalle, Tirupati, Kanigiri, Anantapur and Dharmavaram.

Stating that people were the ultimate decision-makers in a democracy, the Minister said neither court cases nor political allegations could overturn their verdict. He maintained that winning public trust was the true measure of political success.

local elections / Andhra Pradesh / Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party / Telugu Desam Party