Ram Mohan Naidu Accuses YSRCP of Obstructing Local Body Elections in Andhra Pradesh

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of attempting to obstruct local body elections in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking at a media conference in Srikakulam alongside state minister Atchannaidu, he defended the state government’s decision to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) from 24% to 34%. He said the government approached the Supreme Court after the Andhra Pradesh High Court struck down the government orders providing the enhanced quota. According to Ram Mohan Naidu, the decision was intended to ensure social justice for BC communities. He also said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wanted local elections to be held so that villages could benefit from development initiatives and central government funds.

Minister Atchannaidu alleged that the YSRCP had acted against the interests of weaker sections by reducing BC reservations to 24% during its tenure. He recalled that TDP founder N. T. Rama Rao introduced 20% reservations for BCs in 1985 and said Chandrababu Naidu later increased the quota to 34%. Atchannaidu also claimed that local body elections had previously been conducted with 34% BC reservations under different governments and questioned why the quota was reduced during the YSRCP administration. He asked the opposition to explain its position on the issue and challenged its leaders over the legal basis for the reduction. These remarks come amid an ongoing legal and political dispute over BC representation in local bodies.