Violence mars AP local polls, TDP tears up YSRCP nomination papers

At least three incidents surfaced where TDP supporters were caught on camera attempting to disrupt the election process, with videos showing nomination papers being torn.

A video from Wednesday, October 21 showed a man, whom the YSRCP claims is TDP leader Subba Reddy, snatching the nomination form of an MPTC member and tearing it up in front of election officers and police. 

The incident took place in Penukonda, Sri Sathya Sai district, on the first day of nominations for MPTC and ZPTC elections.

In the clip, the TDP member argues that the destroyed form belonged to his own party, attempting to move past police officers who halted him and criticised his behaviour.

In another incident, two individuals, allegedly from TDP, stormed the nomination centre in Giddaluru and again tore and discarded the nomination papers of the opposition party’s candidate.

Tensions flared across Kadapa, Chittoor, Palnadu, Tirupati, and other regions as TDP members allegedly threatened YSRCP candidates and ripped up their nomination forms.

In Nandalur, the situation escalated after a dispute over a TDP candidate’s nomination resulted in gunfire and clashes between two groups. Visuals from the area show cars torched, while some people ran with guns and lathis in hand.

YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy, in a post on X, said the alleged obstruction of candidates is a blatant attack on democratic rights. “Every candidate has the constitutional right to contest elections freely and without intimidation.”

He urged the state Election Commission to intervene immediately to ensure a fair and peaceful nomination process.

While the YSRCP alleged several of its candidates were placed under house arrest and prevented from filing nominations, the ruling TDP accused the party of “attempting to disrupt” the election process out of fear of defeat.

“Several of our leaders have been placed under house arrest, and candidates are being prevented from filing nominations amid attacks and intimidation during the local body elections process across Andhra Pradesh,” the YSRCP claimed in a press release.

In Kadapa district, MP YS Avinash Reddy was allegedly detained by police while attempting to assist party candidates with nomination filing, it said.

In Anantapur district, former MLA K Pedda Reddy was placed under house arrest, while former minister Sake Sailajanath was confined to his residence in Singanamala.

The police also restricted the movement of senior leaders in other districts to prevent them from accompanying candidates to nomination centres, it alleged.

Similarly, in Tirupati district, senior YSRCP leaders Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Mohith Reddy were allegedly placed under house arrest in Chandragiri constituency, among others.

At Nizampatnam in Bapatla district, TDP cadres allegedly tore nomination papers, damaged a vehicle and attacked opposition leaders, leaving three YSRCP leaders injured, said the release.

YSRCP also alleged that an MPTC candidate was forcibly taken away in Pedakurapadu and several leaders were detained to prevent them from reaching nomination centres.

In Kurnool district, YSRCP alleged that heaps of stones were found dumped near the MPDO office at Veldurthi, raising concerns over possible attacks on candidates.

The party further alleged that candidates in Kadapa were forcibly taken into custody and transported towards Tirupati to prevent them from filing nominations within the stipulated deadline.

YSRCP also alleged irregularities in the municipal election process in Pithapuram.

The Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party accused the police of selectively restricting its leaders while “failing to act” against those allegedly involved in attacks and intimidation.