Published Oct 27, 2026 | 3:45 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2026 | 3:45 PM
YS Jagan in Pulivendula
Synopsis: On Tuesday, Jagan met and guided party leaders, workers, and candidates contesting the municipal and ZPTC elections in Pulivendula of YSR district. Speaking on the occasion, he alleged that the State Election Commission, police, and other government systems are not acting independently in the conduct of elections. He criticized that there is no visible change in the attitude of officials even after orders from the Supreme Court.
YSRCP president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is turning the local body election process in the state in his favour through the misuse of power.
Speaking to party cadres and leaders in Pulivendula, Jagan called upon them to be patient for two years and stated that they will take revenge on everyone who harassed their people.
Jagan said that Chandrababu is murdering democracy and that laying a hand on their people in Pulivendula is equivalent to laying a hand on him. He further mocked that there is no Super 6 or Super 7, which is why YSRCP nominations are being obstructed.
Jagan criticized that achieving unanimous elections without giving opposing candidates an opportunity to contest is not democracy. He announced that they will sow the seeds for a movement to protect democracy right from Pulivendula and expand this struggle across the state.
On Tuesday, Jagan met and guided party leaders, workers, and candidates contesting the municipal and ZPTC elections in Pulivendula of YSR district. Speaking on the occasion, he alleged that the State Election Commission, police, and other government systems are not acting independently in the conduct of elections. He criticized that there is no visible change in the attitude of officials even after orders from the Supreme Court.
Jagan alleged that while they had heard about rigging at polling booths in the past, now opponents are being blocked right at the nomination centers to influence the nomination process. He stated that giving everyone an opportunity to contest in elections and winning with the people’s votes is true democracy.
“You compete.. I will compete.. Whoever the people vote for wins. That is true democracy,” Jagan remarked, further criticizing that preventing opponents from contesting and publicizing unanimous elections as victories is shameful.
He questioned whether free elections were held in the 17 urban local bodies in the state which they are boasting have come into the alliance’s account. He said that merely publicizing that TDP got 15, Jana Sena got one, and BJP got one in the municipal chairperson elections is not proof of democracy. Noting their claim that 21 percent of the total 2,108 wards became unanimous, he stated that the real question is whether opponents were given the opportunity to contest or not.
Jagan alleged that even in his own constituency of Pulivendula, YSRCP candidates were obstructed from filing nominations. He stated that out of a total of 40 wards, their party candidates could file nominations in only 20 wards, and they were denied the opportunity in the remaining 20 wards.
Jagan alleged that out of seven ZPTC seats, a situation was created where they could contest in only four seats. He criticized that opponents are being eliminated from the contest by snatching away nomination papers, tearing them up, and rejecting them in the name of scrutiny.
Jagan alleged that on October 17, police stopped their candidates who went to file nominations in the morning and told them to come in the afternoon, and obstructed them even after that. He said that even when they offered to take the candidates in their own vehicles to file nominations, the police did not agree. Jagan remarked that it is unjust to lathi-charge those who requested permission to file nominations.
Referring to the incidents that took place during the nominations in Pulivendula, Jagan made serious allegations. He stated that when their candidates went to file nominations, 37 rounds were fired with guns, resulting in leg injuries to two people. He alleged that a situation arose where 20 stun shells, 40 smoke shells, and seven hand grenades were used.
At the same time, stating that attempt to murder cases were registered against 924 people in Pulivendula, he questioned what kind of justice it is to open fire on their party people and then file cases against those very people. Jagan demanded to know if so many cases were filed just to keep candidates away from contesting in the elections.
He alleged that in 17 out of 39 ZPTC seats in Kadapa district, they ensured there was no contest; in six seats they did not allow nominations to be filed, and in another 11 places, nominations were rejected in the name of scrutiny past midnight. He criticized that nomination papers were torn up right in the presence of police officers and other government staff.
Jagan said that women candidates, who are contesting with 50 percent reservation in local elections, are suffering the most loss. He criticized that at a time when women need to grow politically, socially, and economically, obstacles are being created instead of standing by them.
Jagan alleged that incidents such as stopping women candidates at checkposts, attacking them, pulling their sarees, and tearing up nomination papers took place. He said that actions that outrage the modesty and dignity of women must not be tolerated.
Jagan recalled that women’s welfare was given priority during their government’s tenure. He stated that they stood by them financially with schemes like Aasara, Cheyutha, EBC Nestham, Kapu Nestham, and Sunna Vaddi, and mentioned that for children’s education, they implemented Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, and Vasathi Deevena schemes, gave 31 lakh house site pattas, and took up the construction program of 21 lakh houses. He explained that 50 percent reservation was provided to women in nominated posts and contracts.
Jagan criticized that the Chandrababu government has not implemented the Super Six and Super Seven promises made during the elections. He alleged that even though three years have passed since making 143 promises, they have not been fulfilled, and said that people are confronting the government by showing the promise pamphlets distributed door-to-door during the elections.
He criticized that the government is afraid to face real competition in the elections precisely because it is in no position to answer the people regarding the promises made to them. Jagan further alleged that newspapers and television channels, which ought to question election irregularities, are acting in favor of the ruling party.
Referring to the publicity that six municipalities, including in YSR district, came into the alliance’s account, he remarked that before boasting that the TDP flag flew in an area under Peddireddy’s influence, they should think about how the elections were conducted.
Jagan questioned who will protect the people’s rights if the police and officials, who are supposed to protect the people, act in favor of the ruling party. Advising the police to perform their duties for the Constitution rather than for Chandrababu, Jagn asked them to remember the three lions on the police caps and the oath taken to the Constitution.
He warned that if their party candidates are attacked or nominations are obstructed, those responsible will not be spared. He remarked that officials cannot escape responsibility even after retirement. However, he advised that every action should be within the confines of the law and that officials should act impartially in protecting the rights of the people.
Jagan said that arrests, cases, and harassment are not new to their party, and that the party itself was born in the opposition. He said that no matter how many difficulties arise, they will move forward with the support of the people.
Jagan remarked that only two years of time remain for the government, and what comes after that is “Jagan 2.0”. The former chief minister stated that he considers the welfare of the party workers and their problems as his responsibility. He said he will not sit quietly watching attacks on party workers.
He recalled that even after his father’s death, the people of Pulivendula stood by him like family members, and it was with their support that he reached the position of Chief Minister. Jagan remarked that if attacks happen on party workers and candidates in Pulivendula, it is as if they happened on him.
He informed that he will come to Pulivendula a day before the voting, and on polling day, he too will go into the booth and cast his vote. He called upon everyone to stand bravely so that people can freely exercise their right to vote.
“We will sow the seeds to save democracy right from Pulivendula. The struggle starting from here will uproot the Chandrababu government from its very roots,” Jagan remarked. He declared that the goal of their struggle is to create conditions where the people’s verdict can be expressed freely.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
