Jagan seeks CBI probe into DSC-2025 ‘irregularities’, Nara Lokesh’s resignation

Amaravati, Sep 10 (PTI) YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday reiterated his demand for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in DSC-2025 recruitment process and sought the resignation of Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh, claiming that some candidates secured jobs without even appearing for the examination.

Rejecting the allegations, the TDP accused Jagan of "spreading false propaganda" and "attempting to create a controversy" over the recruitment process, saying officials had already held four press conferences to clarify the issues.

“DSC-2025 was marred by serious irregularities, with some candidates allegedly receiving jobs despite not appearing for the examination. The government should order a CBI inquiry into the recruitment process, and Education Minister Nara Lokesh should step down,” said Jagan, addressing a press conference at YSRCP central office in Tadepalli.

The former CM alleged that candidates had been selected under the sports quota on the basis of participation certificates for tournaments that, according to the concerned sports associations, were never held.

Citing the selection of 39 candidates under the sports quota, he alleged that some had produced certificates claiming participation in a judo tournament in Khammam.

Jagan also said the Telangana Judo Association had categorically stated that no such tournament had taken place.

He alleged that the certificates had been issued by the Andhra Pradesh Judo Association, whose president was Bharath, whom he described as Lokesh's co-brother.

Jagan claimed that a similar practice had occurred in softball and referred to Kuna Ravi Kumar as the head of the association concerned.

The opposition leader also referred to the cases of Yogeshwara Rao and his sister, alleging that both secured jobs under the sports quota based on claims that they had won medals at a Kho-Kho championship in Nalgonda, although the Telangana Kho-Kho Association had confirmed that no such championship was held.

Jagan alleged that Prabhakar from Kurnool district was appointed without qualifying in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). According to him, the candidate should have secured 75 marks under his reservation category but had obtained only 65.

He said officials had defended the selection by stating that the candidate had appeared for the examination several times and that his highest score was considered, but alleged that his category had subsequently been mixed up.

Jagan said the YSRCP was pursuing the matter in courts, alleging that the recruitment system had been compromised by such irregularities and attempts to cover them up.

He further alleged that the government had sought to follow a similar method in Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) recruitment for Forest Department posts by using the sports quota, but withdrew the plan after the YSRCP raised the DSC issue.

According to Jagan, the alleged irregularities began with the decision to entrust the preparation of the question bank and conduct of the examination to the same person.

He alleged that an outsourcing employee subsequently gained access to the question paper, secured the first rank and was later removed from the merit list.

Jagan claimed that audio and video evidence suggesting that jobs were being offered had also emerged, but the case was not pursued in the manner it should have been.

He rejected the government's claim that verification had been carried out seven times before appointments were made, describing the explanation as inadequate.

Jagan also alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh had attempted to mislead the legislature as part of a cover-up.

The alleged irregularities, the YSRCP supremo said, were having a serious impact on unemployed youth who spend considerable time preparing for competitive examinations.

Meanwhile, responding to Jagan, the TDP said officials had already held four press conferences over his allegations and questioned his decision to raise the issue outside the Assembly.

“If you create an imaginary world for yourself in Bengaluru Palace and believe that it is the real world, who would do what?” said the TDP in a post on X.

The ruling party claimed that Lokesh had challenged Jagan several times to come to the Assembly and raise the allegations there, but alleged that the former chief minister had instead gone to Bengaluru.

“Live in that imaginary world itself, Jagan,” it added. PTI