Democracy under threat in Andhra Pradesh: Jagan Reddy

YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday alleged that democracy in Andhra Pradesh was under threat and accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of using police machinery to “suppress” opposition voices and dissent.

There was no immediate response from the ruling TDP. In a post on X, Jagan said, “Democracy in Andhra Pradesh is under grave threat because of Naidu’s politics of suppression and intimidation... Acting like a dictator, he (the CM) has turned the state into a police raj where opposition leaders, journalists and social media activists who question the Government are being systematically silenced.”

The opposition leader also condemned the alleged police action against YSRCP leaders Jogi Ramesh, Jupudi Prabhakar, Varikuti Ashok Babu, Peeta Naga Mohan Krishna, Ambati Murali and others who were travelling to Mamillapalli village in Ponnur constituency of Guntur district to express solidarity with Kapu community farmers.

According to him, the (YSRCP) leaders were manhandled, arrested and treated like criminals for raising issues concerning farmers and questioning the Government.

The alleged police action reflected what he described as the Government’s attempt to curb peaceful protests and discourage criticism.

Raising concern over farmers’ distress, the former CM alleged that maize farmers had suffered losses after being forced to sell produce below the remunerative price.

While the remunerative price for maize stood at Rs 2,400, farmers had sold produce between Rs 1,400 and Rs 1,600 this season, causing financial distress, he added.

He further alleged that some farmers belonging to Kapu community, who stored maize in warehouses anticipating better prices were targeted and that cases under the SC/ST Act were registered against them.

The opposition leader sought to know whether seeking Minimum Support Price (MSP) and extending support to farmers had become grounds for police action and arrests.

Citing cases filed against senior journalist and former MLC Nageshwar as an example, Jagan said journalists and public intellectuals criticising the Government were facing intimidation.

He accused the Government of intolerance towards criticism, saying Andhra Pradesh was turning into a “Jungle raj”.

Jagan said his party would continue to stand with people and raise issues concerning farmers and democratic rights.