YSRCP chief Jagan Reddy accuses Andhra Pradesh government of vindictive politics

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday alleged that the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh is pursuing vindictive politics and warned that those responsible will have to repent in the coming days.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Alur MLA B. Virupakshi, who is lodged in a prison in connection with a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Mr. Reddy claimed that the law and order situation in the State is deteriorating and that the government is specifically targeting leaders from backward classes. He cited cases registered against YSRCP leaders from backward classes as evidence of this alleged pattern.

Mr. Reddy alleged that it has become a common practice of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government to "name victims as accused and file false cases against them to gag the Opposition." He said false cases were registered against Mr. Virupakshi and that the "Red Book constitution" — a term apparently referring to the state's police standing orders — is being used to book the sitting MLA, his family and followers in fabricated cases. He also pointed out that some names have been mentioned twice in a single case.

The former Chief Minister claimed that police barged into the MLA's house, destroyed CCTV cameras, and arrested the people's representative on serious charges. According to Mr. Reddy, the MLA had gone to the rescue of his followers after police failed to act when a party worker was being attacked. He said the MLA was escorting his follower, Hari, to safety when TDP workers attacked the car, gravely injuring the MLA's brother. However, cases were registered against YSRCP leaders rather than the TDP workers, he alleged.

Mr. Reddy cited two other instances of alleged targeting of BC leaders. He said former Minister Seediri Appalaraju was jailed after a simple road accident case was converted into one with serious charges. Another BC leader, Chinthada Ravi, was arrested on charges of assaulting a woman police officer, though he was actually helping police clear a mob, Mr. Reddy claimed.

"The motive is clearly to trouble political adversaries by foisting false cases, but days will not be the same. Those pursuing the 'Red Book constitution' will have to repent in the coming days," he said.

Mr. Reddy also said that when he went to meet the MLA, police took his photograph from an inappropriate angle in a standing posture. He recalled that the previous YSRCP government had initiated police reforms, a remark apparently aimed at contrasting his tenure with the current administration.

There was no immediate response from the state government to these allegations. The TDP-led NDA government, which also includes the BJP and Jana Sena, came to power in the 2024 assembly elections, ending the YSRCP's five-year rule.