Opinion: Brand AP and CBN Have Gone To The Dogs

Chandrababu Naidu never misses an opportunity to boast about technology, development and his vision for Andhra Pradesh. But the videos circulating from the state tell a rather different story. When candidates allegedly face intimidation, nomination papers are snatched and torn, and violence unfolds in the presence of police, all that high-tech talk sounds like a cruel joke.

What is the point of boasting about a world-class governance model when the basic right to file a nomination is allegedly being trampled in broad daylight? With these disturbing visuals spreading, Brand AP and Chandrababu Naidu’s carefully cultivated image have gone to the dogs.

Brand AP is going to dogs, and Chandrababu Naidu has some serious questions to answer.

The incidents reported across Andhra Pradesh during a single day of local body election nominations are deeply disturbing.

Videos show nomination papers being snatched and torn up, candidates being attacked, women facing intimidation and police personnel standing by as the chaos unfolds. If these incidents are verified, they represent a disgraceful assault on democratic rights.

A Day That Exposed the Rot:

– BJP candidates allegedly targeted: TDP workers reportedly snatched and tore up nomination papers submitted by a BJP candidate, raising questions about whether even alliance partners are safe from intimidation.
– A legislator’s alleged threat: A video attributed to Venkatagiri MLA Ramakrishna reportedly shows him urging supporters to prevent YSRCP candidates from filing nominations and attack them with stones, while claiming police support.
– Nomination papers destroyed: Reports from Kadapa, Chittoor, Giddalur and other locations describe alleged attacks on candidates and the destruction of nomination documents inside or near nomination centres.
– Women allegedly harassed: In GD Nellore, a group reportedly snatched nomination papers from a woman while police personnel allegedly failed to intervene.
– Violence and arrests: Reports from Guntakal, Denduluru and Anantapur describe alleged assaults, stone-pelting and torn nomination papers. YSRCP leaders, including Badvel MLA Dr Sudha, were reportedly arrested or detained.
– Candidates pushed to desperation: A candidate in Veligandla reportedly pleaded with a police officer for an opportunity to file a nomination. In Guntakal, YSRCP in-charge Nairuthi allegedly concealed nomination papers under her clothing and wore a burqa to reach the nomination centre.
– Gunfire controversy: In Nandalur, Kadapa district, a TDP leader, Koduru Balasubramanyam, was reportedly involved in an incident in which shots were fired into the air, raising further questions about weapons and election-time enforcement.

What Happened to the Hi-Tech Chief Minister?

Chandrababu Naidu has long boasted technology, administrative efficiency and investment-friendly governance. Yet, if candidates must plead with police officers, fear physical attacks or resort to disguises to submit nomination papers, what exactly is the administration delivering?

A state cannot credibly market itself as a technology powerhouse while allowing the most basic democratic process to descend into alleged intimidation and disorder.

The government should urgently explore an online nomination portal, supported by identity verification, transparent scrutiny and offline assistance. Digital filing alone cannot eliminate intimidation, but it could reduce opportunities to physically seize or destroy nomination papers.

If a genuinely free and fair election cannot be guaranteed immediately, the State Election Commission should consider postponing the polls by a month, if legally permissible, while putting credible safeguards in place.

Chandrababu Naidu cannot demand global confidence in Brand AP while ignoring allegations that undermine democracy at home. The damage is not merely to one party or one election. It is to Andhra Pradesh’s reputation.

Unless the administration acts decisively, the image of a hi-tech state risks being overshadowed by the ugly spectacle of candidates allegedly fighting simply for the right to contest.

Usha Chowdhary