YSRCP files plaint with EC against ABV and Retd DG Thakur

In an important development, YSRCP leaders have formally filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing additional DG AB Venkateswara Rao and retired IPS officer RP Thakur of exerting undue pressure on police officials across districts in Andhra Pradesh to sway the electoral process in favour of Telugu Desam Party (TDP). M Manohar Reddy, the state president of YSRC’s legal cell, asserted that Venkateswar Rao and Thakur, purportedly stationed at the TDP headquarters, have been making phone calls to district police officials, coercing them to act in favour of TDP under the threat of severe repercussions should they fail to comply.
Reddy disclosed that YSRC’s general secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy formally complained to the Chief Election Commissioner of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the alleged misconduct of the aforementioned individuals. He further elaborated that AB Venkateswara Rao, currently under suspension, and RP Thakur, a retired IPS officer, have allegedly exhibited biased behaviour against YSRCP for the past five years. Reddy accused them of orchestrating their operations from the TDP headquarters in Mangalagiri, issuing verbal directives to incumbent police officials ranging from DGs and IGs to District Police Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, and Circle Inspectors, instructing them to extend undue favours to TDP, including refraining from making arrests, adopting a lenient approach towards TDP activists, and turning a blind eye to potential instances of rigging and booth capturing during the ongoing polling process.
Manohar Reddy emphasised that as current or former law enforcement officers, Venkateswara Rao and Thakur are duty-bound to discharge their responsibilities impartially and diligently. However, he lamented that the duo stands accused of colluding with Telugu Desam and abusing their influence over police personnel. Reddy condemned these alleged actions as undemocratic, constituting a blatant violation of the model code of conduct and an abuse of police power, which, he stressed, constitutes an offence under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. He urged the Election Commission to take prompt and decisive action against Venkateswara Rao and RP Thakur, and subsequently direct all relevant authorities, including DGs, IGs, DIGs, District Police Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, and Circle Inspectors, to discharge their duties impartially and independently, devoid of any external influence, thereby ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections during the ongoing Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Andhra Pradesh.