Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 12 (ANI): Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday launched a sharp attack on current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of 'ruthlessly crushing' the democratic process in the state.

In a post on X, Reddy said that the right to question, protest and assemble is a basic part of democracy, but these rights are being suppressed under Naidu's rule. 'The right to question, protest, and assemble forms the bedrock of democracy, empowering citizens to freely express their grievances and demand accountability. In Andhra Pradesh, however, this fundamental democratic process is being ruthlessly crushed under the weight of an authoritarian regime led by Chandrababu Naidu,' Reddy wrote.

He blamed the state government for using the police force, which 'stifles dissent and creates a chilling atmosphere akin to a police state or dictatorship.'

'Every attempt by the public or opposition to raise legitimate concerns is met with repression, harassment, and fabricated legal cases, leaving no room for dissent. This deliberate assault on democratic freedom is an attack on the very essence of democracy in the state,' he said.

Reddy also listed several instances where he claimed that cases were filed against him or party workers during his visits to different parts of the state.

Citing an incident in Guntur, he wrote, 'Mirchiyard, Guntur (Feb 19, 2025): I met mirchi farmers to address their plight, as they face denial of remunerative prices and a drastic drop in mirchi prices from Rs 27,000 to Rs 8,000 per quintal. 1 case was filed.'

Mentioning another case, he said, 'Ramagiri (April 8, 2025): I visited Rapthadu constituency to console the family of Kuruba Lingamaiah, a backward class (BC) leader of YSRCP who was brutally murdered by TDP followers in Ramagiri. One case was filed, including on Rapthadu constituency YSRCP coordinator Thopadurthi Prakash Reddy.'

He added that similar incidents occurred in Podili, Sattenapalli, and Bangarupalyam, where cases were also allegedly filed. He accused the authorities of using vague charges to keep open the option of targeting more people in the future.

'In every instance, the authorities list three or four named individuals alongside vague references to 'others,' allowing them to arbitrarily target more people later. During my every visit, the police are putting all their efforts to curtail the movement of the people. YSRCP leaders and party workers are being issued notices in advance, and in many cases, they are being detained at their homes to prevent them from joining the events. Even farmers are being stopped, questioned, and video recorded at multiple checkpoints,' Reddy alleged.

He said the opposition is being harassed for raising public issues. Reddy further alleged, 'The only opposition party in this state is responsibly addressing public issues through its programs. Chandrababu Naidu's actions through fabricated cases, arrests, and media manipulation reveal a desperate attempt to cling to power by suffocating democratic expression.'

He also blamed the current government for misgovernance. 'Chandrababu Naidu is silencing the voiceless, eroding the very democratic fabric, leaving citizens with no avenue to challenge injustice or demand their rights, in spite of broken promises of misgovernance by the current regime,' he said. (ANI)