Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticized the conduct of Mandal Parishad President (MPP) by-elections in Vinjamuru and Bommanahalli mandals, alleging large-scale intimidation and a complete violation of democratic norms. In a post on X on January 5, 2026, Jagan accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government of using force and police machinery to influence the election outcome, describing the process as a “brutal murder” of democracy even in a relatively small local body poll.

Jagan Mohan Reddy stated, “Even in a small MPP election, the way democracy is being brutally murdered exposes the extreme high-handedness of the TDP and the dangerous nature of the coalition government led by Chandrababu Naidu, who has reduced elections to a show of force instead of a democratic process.” The former chief minister claimed that voters and candidates faced significant pressure, with law enforcement allegedly deployed in a partisan manner to favor the ruling alliance. He further described the situation as emblematic of a broader pattern of authoritarian tendencies under the current administration.

The by-elections in Vinjamuru (Nellore district) and Bommanahalli (Anantapur district) were held to fill vacant Mandal Parishad President posts following recent vacancies. These local body polls, though limited in scope, carry political significance as they serve as early indicators of grassroots support ahead of future elections. The YSRCP has maintained that the results do not reflect genuine public will due to alleged irregularities and coercion during the polling and counting process.

Also Read: Madurai Bench Clears Hindu Ritual at Thiruparankundram Stone Lamp Pillar

The TDP-led coalition government has not issued an official response to Jagan’s specific allegations as of January 6, 2026. However, state officials and ruling party leaders have previously dismissed similar claims by the opposition as baseless attempts to discredit the administration. The State Election Commission is expected to monitor any formal complaints or demands for re-polling in the affected mandals.

The controversy highlights the ongoing political rivalry between the YSRCP and the TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance in Andhra Pradesh. As both sides continue to trade accusations, the incident has reignited debates over the integrity of local body elections and the role of law enforcement in the electoral process. Observers will closely watch for any official investigation or legal action that may follow Jagan Mohan Reddy’s public statements

Also Read: Vivek Ramaswamy Raised $19.57 Million In 2025, Outpacing Previous Ohio Governor Campaigns