Andhra Pradesh party accused of using voter data to deny welfare benefits

The governing party in Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), has been accused of using citizens' data to deny welfare benefits to voters likely to support the opposition. This practice reportedly began in early 2021, affecting around 50 villagers, primarily from marginalized communities. An investigation revealed that the YSRCP employed a network of volunteers to collect detailed personal data on residents, which was then used to create voter profiles. This data-driven approach allowed the party to exclude opposition supporters from welfare schemes, undermining their rights and access to benefits. Following complaints, a high court ruled in favor of the affected villagers, reinstating their benefits. The Election Commission later intervened, barring volunteers from their activities amid allegations of election interference. The YSRCP lost the recent elections, raising concerns about the misuse of personal data in political campaigns.