Lokesh accuses Jagan of creating trouble in Pulivendula during polls

Amaravati: HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Sunday accused YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of deliberately creating a law-and-order situation in Pulivendula and then portraying himself as a victim during local body elections.

Speaking after visiting a young girl from Anantapur district undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, Lokesh said elections were being conducted transparently across the State under the present government. He rejected YSRCP allegations over unanimous victories in Pulivendula, asking why Jagan was questioning the process when every ward in the town had reportedly been won uncontested during his tenure as Chief Minister.

Lokesh said police protection had been provided to enable candidates to file nominations and nobody was prevented from submitting papers in Pulivendula. He alleged that a law-and-order crisis was deliberately created, with vehicles set on fire the previous night, followed by attempts to blame the ruling alliance.

He questioned why problems were confined to Pulivendula when elections were being held peacefully across the State, from Ichchapuram to Kuppam, including Visakhapatnam and Kadapa. Alleging that Jagan had arrived from Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon, created trouble and returned by helicopter, Lokesh said the former Chief Minister was responsible for the situation.

Lokesh also questioned the holding of a rally during Model Code of Conduct and accused Jagan of inviting national media to publicise allegations of a law-and-order breakdown. He said voters in Pulivendula had come forward to exercise their franchise and asserted that the government had faith in the democratic process.

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