Former MLA Demands Election Commission Inquiry Into S. Kota Poll Irregularities

Former YSRCP MLA Kadubandi Srinivasa Rao has asked the State Election Commission to investigate large-scale irregularities that allegedly took place during the local body elections in the S. Kota constituency of Vizianagaram. He stated that the party secured the Jami ZPTC segment and several MPTC seats despite officials allegedly working hand in hand with the ruling Telugu Desam Party and its alliance partners. Before making this demand, the former legislator met with YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday night at Tadepalli, close to Vijayawada, alongside newly elected ZPTC and MPTC members. According to a press release issued by Mr. Srinivasa Rao, polling officials changed election results in favour of TDP candidates in multiple areas even though YSRCP candidates held the lead during the first and second rounds. He urged the State Election Commission to act as a neutral body and deliver justice to all political parties. A detailed note covering the narrow single-digit defeats of YSRCP candidates will be submitted to the commission to help ensure an impartial probe. Furthermore, he claimed that the ruling party is struggling to accept the growth of the YSRCP vote bank and asserted that his party will win the 2029 assembly elections with a solid majority.

Context

Local body elections in various regions often see intense political rivalry between major state parties and local administrative machinery. Allegations of vote manipulation and demands for neutral inquiries by election panels are common responses from opposition parties following tight electoral contests.