YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Jagan Mohan Reddy has sharply criticised the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government over an alleged increase in crime and a decline in democratic values in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the media in New Delhi, Reddy voiced concerns about what he described as a breakdown in law and order under the Chandrababu Naidu-led administration.

Reddy detailed a disturbing escalation in violent incidents since the TDP assumed power. He reported over 30 murders and extensive property damage within just 45 days of the TDP government.

“We stand before this country in Delhi and we question whether democracy is prevalent or not in Andhra Pradesh, where the word democracy means equitable justice and today in the state. Equitable justice is denied and democracy stands limping,” the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister said.

Reddy, an erstwhile friend of the NDA, found support from the INDIA bloc. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut joined Reddy in his protest at Jantar Mantar. Yadav condemned the TDP’s alleged use of fear tactics, arguing that true leadership should not rely on intimidation.

“Earlier, Jagan ji was CM and now TDP is in power. Bulldozer culture we don’t support. What do they want to convey by doing this? Acha mukhyamantri (Chief Minister) vohi mana jayega jo daraye na. Jo darate hai vo satta (power) mai nhi rehte hai. I want to thank Jagan Reddy and their party leaders who stand against this strongly and are fighting strongly,” Akhilesh Yadav said.

Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, a key ally of the BJP, played a major role in backing the NDA’s return to power for a third consecutive term. The TDP also returned to power in Andhra Pradesh with a thumping majority.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and a concurrent state poll in Andhra Pradesh, both Jagan Reddy and his rival Chandrababu Naidu engaged with the BJP for a potential alliance. However, the BJP chose the TDP for a pre-poll alliance and the decision has clearly paid off.

Ahead of the elections, predicting a clean sweep for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he never considered Jagan Reddy as an “ally”. “We never considered Jagan as a potential ally. However, their (YSRCP’s) members did support us in certain issues in Parliament,” PM Modi had said.

After the Lok Sabha and Assembly drubbing, Reddy seems to have come closer to the opposition camp. Last month, Reddy joined the chorus of the INDIA bloc demanding the revival of paper ballot system in place of electronic voting machines (EVMs) “to uphold the true spirit of our democracy.”

In response to Reddy, the TDP said in a post on X: “Mr Pulivendula MLA, when your party got 151 seats, you were all the praise for the EVMs. When your party got 11 seats, you say that the EVMs were tampered, which is absolutely not correct.”