Lokesh hits back at Jagan over Pulivendula poll allegations
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IT Minister Nara Lokesh strongly rebutted YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s allegations of electoral malpractices in Pulivendula, pointing out that the former Chief Minister had ensured unanimous victories in the municipality during his tenure. He maintained that the present government had taken all necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections, including providing police protection to candidates seeking to file nominations.
Mr. Lokesh accused Mr. Jagan and other YSRCP leaders of creating law and order problems and blaming the TDP for them. He also criticised the YSRCP chief for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by conducting a roadshow and interacting with people beyond the permitted limits. He pointed out that Mr. Jagan had failed to submit a representation to the State Election Commission despite being given an opportunity to do so.
TDP MLAs Burla Ramanjaneyulu and Bonda Umamaheswara Rao alleged that Mr. Jagan’s actions in Pulivendula stemmed from his fear of an impending defeat on his home turf. They accused him of creating a false narrative of chaos and intimidation to cover up the YSRCP’s likely electoral setback.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP central office on Sunday, Mr. Ramanjaneyulu said Mr. Jagan should have been aware of the standard protocols governing helicopter landings. Obtaining clearance from the District Collector and the police was a routine administrative procedure, particularly on an election day when maintaining law and order was crucial, he said.
He alleged that Mr. Jagan had deliberately distorted the procedure by arriving ahead of schedule and subsequently claiming that his helicopter had made an emergency landing. The incident was staged to divert public attention from the YSRCP’s likely defeat in the Pulivendula municipality, he claimed.
At a separate press conference, Mr. Umamaheswara Rao alleged that Mr. Jagan’s actions were part of a conspiracy to disturb the peaceful electoral atmosphere out of political desperation. For the first time in four decades, the people of Pulivendula had been able to exercise their franchise freely under the supervision of the State Election Commission, police and the State government, he claimed.
He accused Mr. Jagan of spreading misinformation about the election process and attempting to vitiate the atmosphere for political gain. Reaffirming that the TDP-led coalition would put an end to factionalism and ‘gang politics’, he urged people to see through the YSRCP chief’s alleged political machinations.
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