The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday (August 10, 2026) held protests and attempted motor vehicle rallies across Andhra Pradesh, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged irregularities in the District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitment process and the resignation of HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, even as the police stopped the programmes citing lack of permission.

In Visakhapatnam, large numbers of police personnel were deployed at Jagadamba Junction ahead of a rally planned under the leadership of former Visakhapatnam South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar. The police told the party that permission for the rally had not been granted, even as YSRCP workers gathered to proceed with the programme.

A protest truck decorated for the rally was parked near Jagadamba Junction, according to a source close to the party. The police took the vehicle into custody, following which Mr. Ganesh Kumar and party members marched to the Police Barracks, seeking its release, and staged a protest.

Mr. Ganesh Kumar and several other YSRCP leaders were subsequently taken into custody, according to the party. Mr. Ganesh Kumar was taken to the Three Town police station.

YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president K.K. Raju was stopped by the police at R&B Junction while taking out a protest rally. The party described the rally as peaceful.Giv

In Gajuwaka, former Minister Balaraju and YSRCP coordinator Thippala Devan Reddy, along with party workers, were detained while protesting against what the party alleged was corruption in the mega DSC recruitment process.

Several other YSRCP leaders were detained in different parts of Visakhapatnam. Former Pendurthi MLA Adeep Raj was among those taken into custody, according to the party.

The police action followed the YSRCP’s call for State-wide protests seeking a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the DSC recruitment process.

More details are awaited as the developments unfold.

Barricades in Kuppam, dharna in Chittoor

Tension prevailed in Kuppam on Monday as YSRCP cadres protested against the Mega DSC recruitment.

YSRCP MLC and Kuppam party in-charge K.J.R. Bharath began a protest outside his residence after the police detained him at his house as workers gathered for a rally.

The police put up barricades at several junctions to stop cadres moving towards the MLC’s residence, and diverted traffic on the Krishnagiri highway through rural roads. YSRCP leaders alleged that the police were favouring the ruling TDP, claiming permission had been given to the TDP for a counter-protest.

A dharna was held in Chittoor, where YSRCP workers raised slogans against the government and repeated the demand for a CBI inquiry.

Deputy Superintendent of Police D. Parthasarathi is overseeing the security arrangements, and the police remain deployed in strength at key points in the town.

Published - August 10, 2026 12:43 pm IST