Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy was addressing the party leaders, elected representatives and key functionaries from the Parchur Assembly constituency at the central office here.
Expressing apprehension over the conduct of local body elections under the TDP-led government, the YSRCP chief, while referring to the proposed 34% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), claimed that it could face legal hurdles. He alleged that the government was creating circumstances that could lead to a delay in the polls.
The former Chief Minister also raised concerns over the ongoing revision of electoral rolls and allegations regarding deletion of voters. He said such developments created doubt about the manner in which the local elections would be conducted.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy further alleged that the ruling establishment was relying on police pressure, criminal cases, inducements and administrative measures to weaken the political opponents. The ruling TDP, however, rejected the allegations.
He, however, told the party cadre to contest the elections with determination. Describing the local body elections as essentially a test of the party’s grassroots organisation, he said the YSRCP should extend its support to workers contesting for sarpanch, MPTC and ward member posts.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that his government had implemented 99% of the promises made in the YSRCP manifesto during its five-year term. He cited village secretariats, volunteer system, Nadu-Nedu, Aarogyasri, medical colleges and Rythu Bharosa Kendras as some of the initiatives undertaken by his government.
He alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had made substantially more welfare promises during the 2024 elections but had not fulfilled them to the extent promised.
Referring to the 2017 Nandyal by-election and the 2019 Assembly elections, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy maintained that political pressure and alleged use of official machinery could not suppress the support enjoyed by a political party at the grassroots.
He called upon the YSRCP workers to treat the local body elections as an opportunity to demonstrate their organisational strength.