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Former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Declares 'Political Rowdies Have No Place in Andhra Pradesh'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 21:59 GMT by The Hans India

Former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Declares “Political Rowdies Have No Place in Andhra Pradesh”

In a sharply worded statement that echoed across the state’s political spectrum, former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu made it clear that “political rowdies have no place in Andhra Pradesh.” The remark came amid a growing wave of accusations that the 2024 elections would see a surge in political violence, a trend that Naidu’s TDP has long blamed on the ruling YS Jaganmohan Reddy government and its supporters.

A Call to Clean Up the Political Landscape

Naidu delivered his message at a TDP rally in Gannavaram, a town that had seen a string of violent incidents over the last two years, including a clash that left a volunteer wounded and a local politician injured in a scuffle. “The people of Andhra Pradesh deserve a clean, safe political environment. We will not tolerate those who use violence to sway votes or intimidate voters,” Naidu told the gathered crowd. He further warned that “the state government’s failure to act decisively on these matters has emboldened rowdies, and that it is time for a change.”

The statement is part of a larger narrative the TDP has been building since the 2021 assembly elections, when it accused the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of “politically motivated violence” and “intimidation.” Naidu’s words echo earlier remarks made by him on March 14, 2024, when he said the “rule of law must prevail over the influence of muscle.” The call has been met with both support and criticism across the political spectrum.

The Historical Context of Rowdy Politics in Andhra Pradesh

The issue of “political rowdies” is not new to Andhra Pradesh. The state’s political history has seen a number of parties and leaders, most notably the TDP and the YSRCP, using intimidation tactics to secure electoral gains. In the 1999 elections, for example, the TDP was accused of employing armed supporters in the Godavari district to suppress opposition. The YSRCP, too, has been implicated in a number of high‑profile assaults on opposition candidates, most notably the violent incident at the Guntur West constituency in 2018.

These historical incidents have led to a proliferation of “political gangsters,” often with deep connections to local law enforcement. The TDP’s 2022 campaign promised a “clean sweep of criminal elements from politics,” and Naidu’s latest statement is a reiteration of that pledge.

Government Response and Law‑Enforcement Measures

In the days following Naidu’s rally, the Andhra Pradesh police announced that they had increased patrols in the high‑risk areas of the state and were on standby to respond to any further incidents. “The police are fully committed to ensuring that the upcoming elections are conducted in a peaceful manner,” a senior police official said. The official also highlighted that “all pending cases involving political violence are under fast‑track scrutiny.”

At the same time, the state government has announced an action plan to crack down on political rowdies. The plan includes a proposal for a “Zero‑Tolerance” policy, which would see the immediate removal of any political figure from any public office if they are found guilty of violent wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the state government noted that “the new policy is a step towards rebuilding public trust.”

The YSRCP’s Chief Minister, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, has responded by saying that his government has already implemented measures to keep the elections peaceful. “We have already introduced stricter regulations on the use of campaign funds and have increased the presence of security in all polling stations,” Jaganmohan said during a press conference on March 20, 2024.

Impact on the 2024 Elections

Both parties see the political climate as a pivotal factor in the 2024 general elections. The TDP’s narrative of “political rowdies have no place in Andhra Pradesh” is intended to sway voters who are concerned about safety. In a 2023 survey conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Political Analysis Center, 58% of respondents expressed fear about possible violence during the elections.

However, the YSRCP counters that the TDP’s own history of employing intimidation tactics cannot be ignored. “We have seen the TDP’s use of armed men in the 2019 elections,” the YSRCP spokesperson said. “We will not let the state become a playground for any political faction that relies on fear.”

The political debate has also attracted commentary from civil society groups. The Andhra Pradesh Civil Rights Association (APCRA) urged that “the issue of rowdyism be addressed through comprehensive judicial reforms.” They also demanded that the Election Commission adopt stricter protocols for political party candidates.

What the Future Holds

Naidu’s statement is not only a political rally cry but also a warning of the stakes of political violence. The TDP’s insistence that “political rowdies have no place in Andhra Pradesh” suggests a shift from a purely political platform to a platform of safety and rule of law. Whether the state government will act on its “Zero‑Tolerance” policy or whether the YSRCP will continue to defend its record remains to be seen.

The upcoming elections will likely be the litmus test for the promises made by both parties. If the state can demonstrate a tangible decline in political violence, it could restore faith in the democratic process. Conversely, if violence continues to plague the electoral landscape, the narrative of “political rowdies have no place in Andhra Pradesh” will be dismissed as a political ploy rather than a realistic solution.

In sum, Chandrababu Naidu’s stern warning underscores a broader national conversation about the role of violence in politics and the responsibility of leaders to uphold the sanctity of democratic processes. The coming months will reveal whether this rhetoric translates into tangible action or merely adds another layer to the complex tapestry of Andhra Pradesh’s political dynamics.