Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy alleges ‘undeclared emergency’ in Andhra Pradesh

The YSRCP chief accused TDP leaders of verbally attacking women leaders such as RK Roja, Rajani, and Zilla Parishad Chairperson

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party chief, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has alleged that the state is currently facing an "undeclared emergency-like situation" under the newly formed coalition government, reported ANI.

Speaking to the media on Thursday after meeting Prasanna Kumar Reddy and consoling his family members, Reddy launched a sharp attack on the ruling government, accusing it of misusing police machinery, filing false cases against the opposition, and adopting what he described as a "draconian rule."

Reddy also claimed that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been pursuing a path of political vendetta by targeting the homes of political opponents, disregarding democratic norms and constitutional values.

"Criticism is common in political circles, but sending mobs with weapons to attack the house of adversaries and deriving sadistic pleasure is evident in recent times with the implementation of the Red Book constitution, as Prasanna Kumar Reddy's house was attacked with his aged mother in the house," the former Chief Minister said, reported ANI.

He further alleged that extraordinary measures were being taken to restrict public interaction with him, including police deployment and road blockades.

"The huge posse of police and roads being dug up to halt people coming to see me and the unprecedented restrictions put in place show how much Chandrababu Naidu is scared of YSRCP and his diversion tactics to divert the attention of people from his failure to implement poll promises," Reddy said, reported ANI.

Earlier in the day, Jagan Mohan Reddy also visited YSRCP leader Kakani Govardhan Reddy at Nellore jail. He accused the government of deliberately filing multiple cases to prolong the imprisonment of opposition leaders.

"Chandrababu has been deriving sadistic pleasure by foisting false cases and putting opposition leaders in jail and filing case after case to keep them in jail for longer periods."

He criticised the filing of cases against party leaders for merely sharing news clips or raising questions about government actions. He also questioned the legitimacy of the quartz mining case involving Govardhan Reddy, citing the VRO's confirmation that no quarrying activity had taken place in the area in the past four years, reported ANI.

"They have also added the SC, ST case, which shows the vindictive nature of the government. Old cases have been retrieved to increase the number of cases," he said.

Govardhan Reddy currently faces four cases and has been in jail for 64 days. While the first three accused in the same case were granted anticipatory bail, he remains behind bars.

Reddy stated that this disparity illustrates the decline of law and order in the state.

"The flimsy cases being filed against Govardhan Reddy stand testimony of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. He is in jail for 64 days with 14 cases," Reddy said, while also listing several YSRCP leaders and their family members who have allegedly been targeted by the ruling government, as reported by ANI.

The YSRCP chief also accused TDP leaders of verbally attacking women leaders such as RK Roja, Rajani, and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Uppala Harika.

"If we pay back in the same coin, where will democracy stand?" he questioned, further claiming that public dissatisfaction with the government is growing across sectors.

"All sections are unhappy with the government, as students did not get fee reimbursement for six quarters. Farmers are not getting MSP."

As reported by ANI, Reddy alleged that corruption had become rampant, with police officers acting as agents for extortion across constituencies, and accused government functionaries of benefiting from illegal activities such as gambling, overpricing liquor, and the sand mafia.

"Corruption has been rampant, and police have become collection agents in every constituency, and the spoils are shared by leaders from the local level to the top level. Sand prices have increased manifold, despite the government's policy of free sand. Liquor is being sold above the MRP, and gambling dens are also operating. All the collected money is distributed from top to bottom under the watch of the police," Reddy said.

(Inputs from ANI)