Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 21 (ANI): The YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday launched a scathing attack on the state government over alleged irregularities in the District Selection Committee (DSC) teacher recruitment, demanding an impartial Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and the immediate resignation of Education Minister Nara Lokesh.
The YSRCP chief also strongly condemned the police action against party leaders, students, and unemployed youth during a protest rally in Vijayawada, accusing the ruling administration of using force to suppress democratic dissent.
In a post on X, Jagan questioned Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, asking why the government was "afraid" of ordering a central investigation if the recruitment process was fair.
https://x.com/ysjagan/status/2102033585591009655?s=46
"Mr @ncbn Garu, why are you so afraid and agitated when we demand a CBI inquiry into the DSC scam? Can you and your son, Education Minister Nara Lokesh, simply certify your own recruitment process as transparent? What value does a self-issued certificate from those accused of committing the scam carry? Stop making empty claims. If you have the courage, agree to a CBI inquiry," Jagan wrote.
Highlighting the police crackdown in Vijayawada, the former Chief Minister alleged that peaceful demonstrators were lathi-charged.
"The incidents in Vijayawada today show how far your government has fallen. Our party leaders, along with students and unemployed youth, attempted to conduct a peaceful rally demanding a CBI inquiry. But the police blocked them, subjected them to a lathi-charge, and allowed your goons, disguised as teachers, to attack them. Does the Opposition not even have the democratic right to hold a peaceful rally, Mr Chandrababu Naidu?" he asked.
Jagan further asserted that the state government is resorting to "desperate measures and diversions" to evade accountability over recruitment lapses affecting lakhs of candidates.
"Lakhs of young people study for years and spend substantial amounts of money preparing for teacher recruitment examinations. They must have confidence that their hard work and merit will receive justice through a fair government recruitment system. Because of the alleged irregularities committed under your government and Education Minister Lokesh, unemployed youth and job aspirants have lost that confidence," he stated.
Emphasising that public trust cannot be restored through police force, Jagan reiterated that only an independent CBI investigation could bring the truth to light.
"You cannot hide a scam by using the police as a shield. You cannot suppress the Opposition’s voice and conceal the facts. DSC candidates must receive justice, and government recruitment must be transparent," he said.
"Nara Lokesh must accept responsibility for the DSC irregularities and resign as Education Minister. The government must order a CBI inquiry. Until these demands are met, our voice will continue to resonate across the State," Jagan added.
The Mega DSC-scam controversy centres on allegations of widespread irregularities, bribery, and nepotism in the recruitment exams conducted by District Selection Committees for local administrative and departmental posts. Opposition parties and job aspirants have alleged that merit was sidelined in favour of a "cash-for-jobs" nexus involving middlemen and officials, alongside issues of paper leaks and opaque evaluation processes, severely impacting thousands of deserving candidates across the state. (ANI)
DSC exam row: YSRCP's Jagan Mohan Reddy demands Minister Nara Lokesh's resignation, slams police crackdown on protesters
