YSRCP: Every Seat Must See a Fight

With Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission on Wednesday announcing the schedule for local body elections, YSR Congress Party State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said no seat should go uncontested.

He directed Parliament and Assembly constituency observers to remain in the field until the process is completed and ensure full support to party candidates from nominations to polling and counting.

As directed by YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, no local body seat should go uncontested due to the absence of a YSRCP candidate, he said.

Addressing a teleconference with observers and coordination teams, he said the compressed election schedule requires candidate selection, documentation, nominations and campaign preparations to proceed simultaneously.

Observers must remain available round-the-clock for the next 15 to 20 days, resolve coordination issues and connect candidates with legal, media, digital and organisational teams. Candidates should apply immediately for caste certificates, No-Dues certificates and other mandatory documents, while delays must be reported to the central office for legal intervention where necessary, he said.

Sajjala asked candidates to file nominations early and document any obstruction, police intervention or administrative irregularity through video evidence. Observers should also monitor campaign activity, polling-station arrangements, CCTV coverage, counting centres and other election-related arrangements.

A daily reporting mechanism will connect field teams with Parliament observers, regional coordinators, district presidents and the central office. Sajjala said observers would be assessed on their field presence, problem-solving, coordination and support to candidates throughout the election process.

Meanwhile, YSRCP General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy submitted a representation to the State Election Commission seeking an immediate mechanism for prospective local body election candidates to obtain complete details of cases registered against them anywhere in the State.

The representation said several YSRCP leaders and prospective candidates were facing cases at different police stations and, in many instances, were unaware of the case numbers, police stations or districts concerned. This, Appi Reddy said, could create difficulties in making complete and accurate disclosures while filing nomination papers.

He requested the SEC to direct the Director General of Police, District Superintendents of Police, Commissioners of Police and Station House Officers to provide, through local police stations, a consolidated and authenticated statewide list of cases registered against any prospective candidate who approaches with Aadhaar-based identity verification.

Where no cases are found, the police should issue written confirmation to that effect. Appi Reddy also sought acknowledgement of every application and supply of the information within 24 hours, with the facility made available uniformly to all prospective candidates.

He urged the SEC to intervene immediately so that candidates can comply with nomination disclosure requirements without uncertainty or procedural disadvantage.