Vijayawada: The Chief of Andhra Pradesh Telugu Desam (TD), K. Atchannaidu, has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) requesting the state government to prevent village/ward volunteers from participating in election-related activities.
Atchannaidu claimed in his letter dated Wednesday that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had openly encouraged volunteers to campaign for the YSRC at a recent meeting, despite specific instructions from the Election Commission of India (ECI) prohibiting such actions. He referred to the volunteers as the party’s “election army.”
According to Atchannaidu, YSRC MLAs and party leaders have been giving cash, gifts, and clothing to volunteers for the past 15 days, urging them to promote the party and convince beneficiaries of government programs to vote for the YSRC.
He argued that since the volunteers are paid from state funds, their involvement in campaigning is not only unethical but also violates the code of conduct for government employees.
Atchannaidu appealed to the ECI to instruct the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh to ensure that the guidelines regarding the non-participation of volunteers in election campaigns are strictly followed.