Strongly condemning the allegations of ‘vote theft’ made by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on the results of the Pulivendula by-elections in Andhra Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan wondered that the YSRCP people says `people’s verdict’ if they win or if the alliance win they says `fault of the EVMs’.
Participating in 79th Independence Day celebrations in Kakinada, after hoisting the national flag, he lamented that it is not right of leaders’ of some parties at the national and state levels of errors in EVMs and vote theft only when they have lost. He questioned why these allegations were not made when they won? He opined that this was simply an inability to accept the electoral defeat.
Pawan Kalyan said that when the YSRCP won the 2019 elections with a huge majority, his party did not make any allegations of ‘vote theft’ anywhere. He recalled that they respected the verdict of the people and were ready to sit in the opposition. But now, when the alliance has won with 164 seats, he said it is unfair to accuse EVMs of being tampered with.
He made it clear that questioning the election results only when they are not in their favor is not the right approach. Pawan Kalyan strongly emphasized that in a democratic system, the verdict of the people is final. He suggested that leaders should have the mentality of accepting defeat.
Pawan Kalyan warned that making baseless allegations like this will weaken the people’s faith in the democratic system. He said that he believes the Election Commission works with transparency and democracy will be strengthened only by respecting the verdict given by the people. He criticized that these allegations only show the helplessness of leaders who cannot accept defeat.
Explaining to the people about the development and welfare works being implemented in the state on this occasion, Pawan said that Jal Jeevan Mission works are being carried out in 5 districts with a cost of Rs. 7,900 crore. He said that development works were done in Pithapuram with a cost of Rs. 380 crore in 2024. He said that special priority is being given to women by implementing ‘Super Six’.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that a free bus travel scheme is being started for women through Stree Shakti. He said that the time of the previous rulers can be called a dark time and lamented that from 2019 to 2024, it has become like British rule. He made it clear that if the state wants to develop and attract investments, peace and security must be strong.
