Sharmila accuses TDP, YSRCP of turning AP into a ‘South Bihar’

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Congress president Y.S. Sharmila Reddy on Saturday accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of pursuing vindictive politics and turning the state, once celebrated as a land of prosperity, into a battleground of violence and political vendetta. Reacting on social media to incidents of violence during the ongoing local body election process, Sharmila alleged that the two parties were creating conditions that could transform Andhra Pradesh into another “South Bihar”. She described the clashes reported in Rayachoti and Punganur as disturbing developments in the state’s electoral history, arguing that elections meant to be conducted peacefully were being marred by confrontations and attacks.

Drawing a comparison between the previous YSRCP regime and the present TDP-led government, Sharmila alleged that violence under the current dispensation was even worse than that witnessed during the YSRCP’s tenure. She questioned the Election Commission’s response to alleged intimidation at nomination centers and asked why the police had failed to maintain law and order. The Congress leader said her party strongly condemned the TDP’s use of political power to intimidate opponents. She maintained that democratic competition should focus on development rather than physical attacks and retaliatory politics.