YS Jagan condemns the alleged attack on Mithun Reddy at Punganur, while YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy seeks intervention from the President, PM and other authorities.
Tadepalli: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday condemned the alleged attack on party Lok Sabha floor leader and MP P.V. Mithun Reddy at Punganur, accusing the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government of creating an atmosphere of fear in Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, YSRCP Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has sought intervention from key constitutional authorities and central institutions over the incident.
Mr. Jagan spoke to Mr. Mithun Reddy over the phone to enquire about the incident and his condition. He alleged that the coalition government was resorting to violence, intimidation and misuse of official machinery because of growing public opposition to its rule.
“Chandrababu has turned Andhra Pradesh into a jungle raj,” Mr. Jagan said, alleging that even a senior parliamentary leader of the Opposition was not secure in the State.
He accused the Chief Minister of using the police machinery to influence the electoral process and alleged that the police had failed to act effectively when attacks took place. Mr. Jagan maintained that the government was unwilling to ensure peaceful and fair local body elections.
Stating that his party would challenge alleged electoral irregularities through legal and constitutional means, Mr. Jagan said the YSRCP would approach the courts to ensure that candidates could participate in the election process without fear.
He called for the deployment of Central paramilitary forces during local body elections, arguing that their presence was necessary to ensure free and fair polling. He said the party would place the prevailing situation in Andhra Pradesh before the judiciary.
Mr. Jagan said the YSRCP would face the elections with courage, patience and determination. He contrasted his party’s record in government with what he described as the ruling coalition’s reliance on violence and intimidation.
In a parallel move, Mr. Gurumoorthy sent separate representations to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Andhra Pradesh Governor, the State Election Commissioner and the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.
He sought urgent institutional intervention and an impartial investigation into the alleged attack on Mr. Mithun Reddy during the nomination process for local body elections at Punganur.
The MP called for the preservation of CCTV footage and other evidence, an examination of possible security lapses, and adequate protection for Mr. Mithun Reddy, his security personnel and candidates participating in the elections.
In his representation to Mr. Om Birla, Mr. Gurumoorthy sought an examination of the possible parliamentary privilege implications of the incident and urged the Speaker to consider referring the matter to the Committee of Privileges.
He also referred to an Andhra Pradesh High Court order dated October 15, 2026, which he said concerned safe filing of nominations and protection for candidates facing threats.
Mr. Gurumoorthy urged the authorities to ensure accountability and protect candidates’ right to participate freely in the electoral process.
The representations and statements come amid escalating political tensions between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP over the conduct of local body elections. The allegations concerning the attack and the circumstances surrounding it require independent investigation and official verification.
