Failure of the State Election Commission and the Threat to Democracy
Principal Correspondent of Prime Post C S Kulasekhara Reddy: Welcome to our special Prime Post segment interview with former MLA of Tadipatri and YSRCP leader Kethireddy Pedda Reddy. The state is witnessing unprecedented political tensions during the ongoing local body elections, particularly in the Rayalaseema and Palnadu regions. Welcome, Pedda Reddy Garu.
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: Thank you.
Police High-Handedness and Suppression of Opposition Agents
Prime Post: You have raised serious allegations regarding the issuance of polling agent B-forms to YSRCP activists. Why is this becoming a flashpoint for opposition agents?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: Issuing polling agent forms has turned into an existential threat for our cadre. The police and ruling TDP leaders are operating in tandem to manipulate the numbers in polling booths. The moment an agent form is issued on behalf of YSRCP, that individual immediately comes under the crosshairs of local law enforcement. Police officers are under immense pressure to prevent YSRCP agents from physically entering the polling stations by hook or by crook. Local cops know that if they fail to stop our agents, they will lose their plum postings and face punitive transfers. As a result, our activists are targeted with false cases, including framing them under serious charges like narcotics and illegal trade, just to keep them away on polling day.
Prime Post: You mentioned that false cases, including Ganja charges, are being deliberately filed against YSRCP cadre. How exactly is this tactic being executed on the ground?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: It is a systematic, multi-stage operation. The very first step is intimidation through fabricated criminal cases. We have documented multiple instances where police personnel or ruling party operatives planted illicit substances like Ganja inside the vehicles of YSRCP activists, immediately followed by arrests. Once framed, the pressure escalates. TDP leaders approach the agent or their family with an ultimatum: either surrender the agent form, withdraw candidacy, or shift allegiance to the ruling coalition. If our agent refuses to yield to these coercive demands, they are immediately taken into formal custody under one pretext or another. This pattern is unfolding ruthlessly across Rayalaseema districts—Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor, Kurnool—and throughout Palnadu.
Prime Post: What specific hardships are you and the YSRCP leaders facing in Tadipatri from the ruling party and local law enforcement?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: The situation in Tadipatri has crossed all democratic boundaries. The high-handedness of the ruling party began right at the nomination stage. In my own case, I was placed under illegal house arrest and restricted from even stepping outside my home. Is this a democracy or an absolute dictatorship? The state machinery has degraded to a level where basic civil liberties are denied. For instance, our Tadipatri YSRCP municipal chairperson candidate was not even allowed by the police to host a private dinner after Friday prayers. Every routine gathering or community interaction by YSRCP leaders is met with heavy police deployment, barricades, and intimidation.
Prime Post: Despite clear rulings and directions from the Supreme Court, how is the State Election Commission (SEC) performing its duties during these elections?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: The State Election Commission has turned into a completely mute spectator. Even after explicit directions from the Supreme Court to ensure free, fair, and safe local body elections, the SEC has abdicated its constitutional duties. When our candidates attempted to file nominations, TDP mobs physically blocked them, tore up nomination papers, and assaulted proposers—all while police officers stood by as passive observers or active facilitators. Over 100 severe violent incidents have been reported across nine districts, including high-tension centers like Rayachoti, Punganur, Kadapa, and Jammalamadugu. Despite submitting written complaints with photographic and video evidence, the SEC has taken zero corrective measures or action against biased officers.
Prime Post: You mentioned that Andhra Pradesh has surpassed states known historically for poll-related intimidation. What makes this local body election cycle different from previous ones?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: The sheer involvement and partisan bias of the police force in these elections are unprecedented. In previous elections, political clashes occurred, but the police machinery maintained a semblance of neutral administration. Today, Andhra Pradesh has surpassed states like Bihar in election violence and official high-handedness. Over 100 incidents of targeted violence, booth capture attempts, physical assaults, and arbitrary detentions have taken place in Rayalaseema and Palnadu alone. The ruling coalition is using every state agency to engineer “unanimous” wins by suppressing opposition nominations and physically locking out opposition representatives.
Prime Post: What is driving the ruling coalition to resort to such high levels of police intervention and intimidation in local body elections?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: The ruling coalition is fully aware that massive public discontent has built up over their tenure. The public has realized the failed promises, stalled development, and administrative misrule. Their internal surveys clearly indicated that TDP would lose over 90 percent of local seats if elections were held in a free, fair, and democratic environment. To overcome this severe anti-incumbency wave, they hatched a calculated plan to prevent the opposition from contesting altogether. That is why they started suppressing nominations in corporations, municipalities, and MPPs across the entire Rayalaseema and Palnadu regions.
Prime Post: What is the current morale of the YSRCP cadre in Tadipatri and across Rayalaseema amidst this atmosphere of violence?
Kethireddy Pedda Reddy: Despite all these severe hardships, arrests, and continuous police pressure, our YSRCP activists have not lost their confidence. Their faith in our leadership and their belief in winning democratic support remain completely intact. However, a genuine concern haunts every single worker: whether they will physically be allowed to reach the polling booths on voting day without being arrested or assaulted along the way. If the State Election Commission and neutral central authorities fail to intervene, the sanctity of the electoral mandate will be totally destroyed. But no matter how many cases they register against us, our cadre will continue to fight for democracy.
Prime Post: Thank you, Pedda Reddy Garu, for sharing these detailed insights into the political situation in Tadipatri and Rayalaseema.
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
CS Kulasekhar Reddy had thirty five years experience in journalism. He worked in Udayam and Andhra Bhoomi as reporter and sub-editor. He highlighted various social issues in Chitthoor, Ananthpur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He covered assembly sessions and Secretariat happenings.
Email: sangatiksr@gmail.com
Mobile: 9000400679
Both are responsible for Tadupari arson and Human rights violation .Misss use of power …
Both are responce ble in tadipatri Arson