AMARAVATI: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed strong displeasure with party leaders as local body elections proceed across the state. In a recent teleconference with senior leaders and MLAs, he sharply criticized the conduct and performance of some members.
Warning on discipline
Chandrababu said certain MLAs and local leaders were behaving arbitrarily and damaging the party’s reputation. “The people have strong trust and faith in the TDP government. Everyone must work responsibly. Some public representatives are overstepping limits, and such conduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.
He also questioned why some local leaders had not filed even a single official complaint, despite the opposition YSRCP allegedly provoking clashes and disturbances in several places. Indifference to grassroots issues, he cautioned, would send the wrong message to the public.
Suspension for rebel candidates
Chandrababu warned that party members contesting as rebel candidates in the local body polls would face suspension. On Wednesday, he held a teleconference with ministers, MLAs, MPs, candidates and booth-level workers on campaigning and the selection of ZPTC and MPTC candidates.
He asked leaders to uphold coalition etiquette and ensure smooth seat-sharing with alliance partners. Aspirants denied tickets, he said, would be accommodated in nominated posts.
Campaign directions
Chandrababu directed party members to work for the victory of alliance candidates, saying good candidates were being selected from the coalition parties and priority was being given to those who had worked for the party. He urged leaders to treat every stage, from candidate selection to results, seriously.
With only a week left for campaigning, he asked leaders to campaign in all municipalities and go to the grassroots, saying those who remain among the people will be unbeatable.
Allegations against YSRCP
Chandrababu alleged that the YSRCP was distorting a Supreme Court verdict. He described former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as a “criminal litigant” and said such a person remaining in politics was dangerous. He further alleged that while the alliance was finalizing candidates for various municipalities, Jagan was plotting to bring in goons from other states.
He said the YSRCP claims to have no faith in the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) yet is seeking to stall local elections until the same SIR voter list is released. According to Chandrababu, the party has filed about 60 petitions in the High Court and Supreme Court on issues including the voter list and BC reservations.