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Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday said a record of over 22,800 nominations has been filed for the urban local body elections across the state.
Taking a swipe at critics, he said those who cry foul should remember that elections are won in the field, not at press meets. In a post on X, Lokesh attached a news article and said, "A record of over 22,800 nominations have been filed for the urban local body elections across Andhra Pradesh. Candidates from every party, every community and every corner of the state have stepped forward. Democracy in Andhra Pradesh is alive and thriving. Those who cry foul before a single vote is cast should remember: elections are won in the field, not at press meets. Face the people, the people will decide." https://x.com/naralokesh/status/2112053599710892247?s=20 The remarks come after former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer at Lok Bhavan on Sunday and apprised him of the alleged coalition governments undemocratic practices, including blocking Opposition candidates from filing nominations in the Urban Local Body elections. He sought the Governors intervention to press for the deployment of Central forces and CCTV coverage throughout the election process. Speaking to the media after the meeting, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the undemocratic conduct was unprecedented. He appealed to party cadre to continue their fight, saying that times would change in the coming days. He told the Governor how YSRCP candidates were being blocked from filing nominations while TDP supporters were allowed into nomination centres, where alleged attacks were carried out on the partys candidates. "In eight places in the state, no nominations were filed. In 19 places, only 36 per cent of the nomination papers were filed, while in eight other places, the nomination papers of YSRCP candidates were torn up. In Pulivendula, only 19 nominations were filed across 36 wards, underscoring the seriousness of the situation," Reddy alleged. He added, "The Governor was also apprised of the treatment meted out to YSRCP MPs Avinash Reddy, P Mithun Reddy and Gurumoorthy at nomination centres, the police opening fire at candidates, and the filing of serious cases against candidates."YS Jagan alleged that active YSRCP cadre were being targeted through a conspiracy to bind them over. He appealed to the public and all concerned to protect democracy and ensure that everyone wishing to contest is allowed to file nomination papers. These acts of anarchy show that Chandrababu lacks confidence, despite resorting to undemocratic practices. Denying people who wish to contest the opportunity to do so is a stain on democracy, he said, adding that all options, including legal remedies, would be explored to save democracy. (ANI)
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