Jagan alleges large-scale malpractice in Andhra local body polls; says YSRCP vote share rose

YSRCP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP-led) government of resorting to large-scale electoral malpractice in the recent local body elections to conceal the growing public support for his party.

At a meeting with party leaders from several districts at Tadepalli on Wednesday (November 11, 2026), Mr. Jagan reviewed the conduct of the elections and alleged that irregularities, intimidation and manipulation had taken place at various stages of the electoral process, from the announcement of the schedule to the counting of votes.

మున్సిపల్, ఎంపీటీసీ, జెడ్పీటీసీ ఎన్నికలు జరిగిన తీరుపై పార్టీ కేంద్ర కార్యాలయంలో వివిధ జిల్లా నాయకులతో కలిసి సమీక్షించిన వైయస్ జగన్ గారు టీడీపీ దౌర్జన్యాలు, దాడులకి ఎదురు నిలిచి నాయకులతో పాటు కార్యకర్తలు గట్టిగా పోరాటం చేశారని వైయస్ జగన్ గారు కితాబు ఎన్నికలు సజావుగా జరిగి ఉంటే వైయస్‌‌ఆర్‌సీపీ ఓటింగ్ శాతం ఇంకా పెరిగేదన్న వైయస్ జగన్ గారు.. చంద్రబాబు ప్రభుత్వం తప్పుల్ని కప్పిపుచ్చుకోవడానికి అక్రమాలకి పాల్పడిందని మండిపాటు తమ రాజకీయ జీవితంలో ఈ తరహాలో ఎన్నికల్లో అక్రమాలను చూడలేదని వైయస్ జగన్ గారికి చెప్పిన పార్టీ సీనియర్ నేతలు

— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) November 11, 2026

The YSRCP’s vote share had increased compared with the 2024 elections despite the alleged irregularities, he said. The party would have secured a much higher vote share had the elections been conducted in a free and fair manner, he added.

Accusing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of misusing official machinery, Mr. Jagan said the ruling party had resorted to undemocratic practices because of the growing support for the YSRCP and the declining popularity of the government. New methods of electoral manipulation had been adopted, including attempts to reverse results in places where YSRCP candidates had won, he alleged.

He also accused Mr. Naidu of trying to divert attention from the alleged irregularities by raising questions about the local body elections held during the previous YSRCP regime.

Party leaders who attended the meeting reportedly described the recent elections as unprecedented in terms of irregularities and alleged that the State Election Commission had failed to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

They alleged that bouncers were deployed at counting centres in place of authorised election agents and that relatives of candidates were kidnapped to force them to withdraw their nominations.

The leaders further alleged that large numbers of votes polled in favour of YSRCP candidates were declared invalid during counting and that power supply was deliberately disrupted at some counting centres to facilitate manipulation.

They also complained that repeated recounting was ordered in constituencies where YSRCP candidates had secured victories, allegedly resulting in changes to the final tallies. However, requests for recounting made by YSRCP candidates were rejected, they said.

The leaders also alleged that extra ballot papers were supplied to benefit ruling party candidates and that attacks and intimidation by TDP supporters had affected villages across the State during the elections.

Mr. Jagan appreciated party leaders and cadres for continuing their efforts despite the alleged intimidation and electoral irregularities.

Published - November 11, 2026 05:18 pm IST