Jagan accuses Naidu of suppressing dissent with State machinery

YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is suppressing dissent with State machinery.

In a message on X on Saturday, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the right to question, protest, and assemble formed the bedrock of democracy and empowered citizens to freely express their grievances and demand accountability.

However, in Andhra Pradesh, this fundamental democratic process was being crushed under the weight of an authoritarian regime led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he alleged.

Dissent was being stifled through blatant misuse of police power. Every attempt by the public or opposition parties to raise legitimate concerns was met with repression, harassment, and fabricated legal cases, he alleged.

The intention was to obscure the systematic suppression of the opposition, the public, and democratic processes, he said.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy cited the incidents that had taken place during his visit to the market yard in Guntur, Rapthadu, Sattenapalli,  Podili and Bangarupalyam as reflecting the dictatorial attitude of the government. The repressive tactics, including lathi-charge and restrictions on public gatherings showed how the government was misusing the police to silence the opposition party and intimidate dissent through legal harassment, he said.