Bode Ramachandra Yadav Accuses TDP of Electoral Intimidation in Local Body Polls

Bharat Chaitanya Yuvajana (BCY) Party founder and national president Bode Ramachandra Yadav has accused ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders of resorting to intimidation during Andhra Pradesh’s local body elections, describing the situation as a repeat of the alleged excesses witnessed under the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. He also criticised opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for remaining in Bengaluru while political developments in the state were becoming increasingly concerning.

In a statement issued in Mangalagiri, Ramachandra Yadav alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had failed to fulfil promises made to the people and was attempting to compensate for a lack of public support through electoral intimidation. He accused both the TDP and YSRCP of placing personal and political interests above the welfare of Andhra Pradesh whenever they held power.

Questioning the ruling party’s approach, Yadav said the TDP should explain why intimidation was allegedly necessary if it enjoyed genuine public support. He argued that the developments surrounding the local elections raised serious questions about the fairness of the democratic process.

Questioning the Election Commission’s approach, the BCY leader highlighted what he described as inconsistent action in two separate incidents. He noted that the State Election Commission had postponed elections in Maidukuru in Kadapa district following a complaint that a nomination paper had been torn. However, he questioned why similar action had not been taken after the nomination papers of the BCY Party’s municipal chairperson candidate were allegedly torn in Kanigiri in Prakasam district.

Yadav further alleged that police personnel failed to intervene effectively during the Kanigiri incident. He also questioned why the election process had not been cancelled and a fresh notification issued despite a report reportedly being submitted by the Markapuram Collector.

He insisted that election authorities must apply uniform standards, irrespective of the constituency or political party involved. He also alleged that nomination papers of BJP candidates, despite the party being part of the ruling alliance, were being torn and called on the BJP’s state leadership to respond.

Demanding corrective action, Yadav urged the authorities to cancel the election process and issue fresh notifications wherever nominations had been forcibly torn. He stressed the need for free and fair elections that provide equal opportunities to every candidate.

Warning against inaction, he sarcastically suggested that authorities might as well declare that elections were being held only for the TDP and Jana Sena. He urged citizens to closely monitor the electoral process and safeguard democratic institutions.