Jagan condemns arrest of YSRCP MLC Appi Reddy, alleges misuse of power

Amaravati: YSRCP supremo Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday condemned the arrest of party MLC and general secretary L Appi Reddy, accusing the TDP-led NDA coalition government of “misusing its power” to suppress protests against alleged irregularities in the recently-held local body elections.

The former chief minister alleged that false cases were being foisted and arbitrary arrests made against YSRCP leaders, workers and members of the public who had peacefully protested alongside party candidates.

“I strongly condemn the illegal arrest and detention of YSRCP MLC and party General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy. Filing false cases, making arbitrary arrests and detaining those who peacefully protested alongside our party candidates and the public against electoral irregularities is an outrageous abuse of power,” Jagan said in a post on X.

Jagan claimed that party workers, leaders and members of the public caught the irregularity when ballot boxes meant for the strong room were found on the road at Nallapadu, and staged a peaceful protest.

The boxes were from Vengalayapalem village in Guntur Rural mandal, where polling for the Parishad elections ended on Thursday.

He questioned why the boxes were unloaded midway at Nallapadu and not taken directly to Nagarjuna University. He asked on whose orders they were unloaded and why adequate security arrangements were not in place for their transportation.

“Do you respond by ordering a lathi charge against them? You commit irregularities, attempt to replace ballot boxes, and then file illegal cases against our people? Would you even go so far as to book an MLC for dacoity and theft?” he asked.

Jagan accused the coalition government of manipulating nominations, their scrutiny, polling booths and polling percentages during the local body elections, and asked whether ballot boxes were also being tampered with after polling had concluded.

Targeting Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he alleged that the government was using the police machinery to suppress those questioning electoral irregularities.

“The entire country is watching your (Naidu’s) undemocratic methods. People will not remain silent spectators. They will not tolerate such atrocities and will teach you a fitting lesson,” he said.

There was no immediate reaction from the ruling TDP.