Keep criminals away from public life, politics: Naidu

He appealed to people to elect good leaders in the local body elections and ensure that governments committed to development remain in power. 

Speaking to media representatives at the camp office, Naidu launched a scathing attack on YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and other party leaders, accusing them of resorting to violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice to retain political power. 

He urged voters to support coalition candidates to strengthen democracy and accelerate development in the state. 

The Chief Minister alleged that while the coalition government was working towards development, the YSRCP continued to pursue what he described as a destructive political agenda. 

Referring to Jagan's recent visit from Bengaluru, Naidu questioned his conduct during his meeting with the State Election Commissioner (SEC), alleging that the YSRCP president had taken personnel from his own media channels to the SEC's office and broadcast the meeting live after holding a three-hour press conference. 

Recalling the local body elections conducted during the previous YSRCP government, Naidu alleged that the party had misused official machinery to secure a large number of unopposed victories. 

He said 24 per cent of Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats and 19 per cent of Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) seats were won unopposed during that period. 

In comparison, the corresponding figures in 2014 were only two per cent for MPTC seats and 0.09 per cent for ZPTC seats, he pointed out. 

"Violence has no place in my life. But I will not run away from criminals and rowdies. Those who take action against rowdies and goons may become targets of retaliation, but I will not be intimidated by their threats," Naidu asserted. 

He further alleged that Jagan was operating from Bengaluru and occasionally visiting Andhra Pradesh to hold press conferences while attempting to shift responsibility for political disturbances onto the ruling coalition. 

The Chief Minister also questioned the YSRCP's reference to Generation Z, alleging that the party was not genuinely concerned about the welfare and future of young people but was attempting to use them as pawns for political gains. 

Follow Politics Stressing the need to protect democratic institutions, Naidu said political violence had caused serious damage to development in several parts of the state. 

He recalled how factionalism had held back Rayalaseema for decades and said factional violence, Naxalism and rowdyism had prevented regions from realising their development potential. 

He said the state's future depended on maintaining peace, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that people with criminal backgrounds were kept away from politics. 

With the next two decades being critical for Andhra Pradesh, he appealed to voters to choose responsible leaders and support the coalition's efforts to promote development, good governance and public safety.