YSRCP holds state-wide protests over DSC recruitment

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Tuesday staged coordinated protests across Andhra Pradesh, demanding a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the DSC-2025 teacher recruitment process and calling for the resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh. The protests, organised under the banner of the party’s youth and student wings following a call by YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, saw rallies, dharnas, human chains and demonstrations in district headquarters across the state. The party claimed that students, DSC aspirants and unemployed youth participated in large numbers.

In a statement, the YSRCP alleged irregularities ranging from the alleged leakage of the DSC examination paper to the filling of posts under the sports quota. The party demanded a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that the recruitment process had compromised the interests of job aspirants. It also accused the state government of attempting to divert attention from the allegations and sought Lokesh’s resignation on moral grounds.

Besides seeking a CBI probe into the recruitment process, the party also demanded the release of pending fee reimbursement and Vasathi Deevena dues, along with implementation of the promised unemployment allowance. Protests were reported from Tirupati, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Amalapuram, Eluru, Bhimavaram, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Narasaraopet, Nellore, Kadapa, Nandyal, Anantapur and Puttaparthi, among other locations. Senior YSRCP leaders, including former ministers, former legislators and district-level functionaries, participated in the demonstrations.

The party alleged that police attempted to prevent rallies in some districts, leading to brief confrontations and detentions of a few party leaders and workers. Despite this, the protests continued in several locations, according to YSRCP. The ruling coalition government has previously defended the DSC recruitment process, maintaining that it was conducted transparently and in accordance with reservation norms. The government has also rejected allegations of irregularities, while opposition parties continue to demand an independent investigation.

YSRCP leaders said they would intensify their agitation in the coming days until their demands for an independent probe and action on the alleged irregularities are addressed.

Lokesh challenges Jagan to debate on DSC recruitment

Education Minister Nara Lokesh challenged YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to a public debate over the state’s District Selection Committee (DSC) teacher recruitment process, following criticism from the opposition.

Addressing a meeting of TDP workers in the Penamaluru Assembly constituency, Lokesh said he was prepared to discuss not only the DSC recruitment process but also what he alleged were irregularities during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure, including liquor and land-related issues.

The minister defended the recruitment process, stating that the government had conducted the DSC transparently while implementing vertical and horizontal reservations. He also claimed that legal challenges filed against the recruitment had been dismissed by the courts.

Lokesh further criticised the previous YSRCP administration’s record on teacher recruitment and urged TDP workers to highlight the coalition government’s initiatives and the opposition’s performance while preparing for the upcoming local body elections.