Punganur (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 16 The ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP traded charges of violence in this town in Annamayya district on Friday during the nomination filing process for the local body polls in Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, police claimed that a YSRCP MP’s convoy of vehicles drove through the people and injured policemen and others.
Visuals purportedly from the site of alleged violence show four SUVs overturned and their windowpanes smashed, while a few cars were seen to be burnt.
While YSRCP, in its press release, accused TDP workers of attacking the convoy vehicles of their party MP from Rajampet, PV Midhun Reddy, with stones, sticks and iron rods while he was accompanying party candidates and leaders to file nominations for the local body elections, the ruling TDP and the police denied the claim.
In a post on ‘X’, the TDP alleged, “In Punganur, MP Mithun Reddy and his followers attacked TDP leader Madhu Royal. They deliberately drove a vehicle into TDP candidates filing their nomination papers and police officers, creating chaos.”
“Evidence suggests that the thugs accompanying Midhun Reddy’s convoy were under the influence of alcohol and entered with a deliberate intent to assault,” the TDP claimed.
“The TDP strongly condemns the attacks by YSRCP leaders and their supporters in Punganur, Rayachoti, Tirupati and Dharmavaram as nominations for municipal elections begin in Andhra Pradesh. We urge the authorities to take strict action against those responsible and prevent further violence,” the ruling party said in a release.
The TDP alleged that YSRCP leaders had brought hired goons from neighbouring areas to threaten candidates, party workers and voters.
It claimed that violence broke out on the first day of nominations in Punganur because YSRCP leaders feared losing their ability to influence the election process through intimidation, particularly when conditions had become conducive to peaceful polling in the town.
The TDP also accused YSRCP supporters of carrying out attacks in Rayachoti, Tirupati and Dharmavaram, alleging that the incidents were intended to obstruct the nomination process and compromise the conduct of free and fair elections.
TDP MLCs met State Election Commission authorities and submitted a formal complaint outlining the alleged attacks and instances of violence. They sought a detailed investigation into Reddy’s alleged role in the Punganur incident, accusing him of instigating the violence and attempting to kill people by driving a vehicle into them.
The ruling party called on the police to take stringent action against those responsible, prevent a recurrence of such incidents and provide adequate security to candidates, party workers and members of the public throughout the election process.
Meanwhile, the opposition YSRCP alleged that TDP workers blocked the convoy, attempted to prevent YSRCP candidates from reaching the nomination centre and vandalised vehicles belonging to its leaders.
A security guard accompanying Reddy was also injured and sustained a gash on his head, they claimed.
YSRCP also accused police personnel present at the scene of failing to stop the alleged attackers or protect the candidates.
Condemning the incident, the YSRCP demanded the SEC to intervene, direct police to register criminal cases and arrest those responsible and take action against officers who allegedly failed to prevent the violence.
It also sought protection for candidates and their proposers, and arrangements to enable all affected candidates to file their nominations safely without obstruction.
Annamayya district Superintendent of Police K Dheeraj alleged that Midhun Reddy and his supporters violated SEC guidelines, triggering tensions in the town.
“Reddy, accompanied by around 100 supporters and party workers, violated SEC guidelines during the nomination process by arriving in multiple vehicles and breaching security barricades, triggering protests and clashes,” Dheeraj said in a release.
According to SEC rules, only the candidate filing the nomination and two other persons are permitted within a 100-metre perimeter of the Returning Officer’s office. However, Reddy and his supporters allegedly arrived in six batches from Punganur town in multiple vehicles and breached security barricades and gates by driving in at high speed, the SP said.
The incident triggered strong protests from TDP workers and members of the public, he said, adding that police personnel immediately intervened and dispersed both sides.
The SP further alleged that a vehicle suspected to be associated with YSRCP entered the nomination centre rashly and carelessly, moving towards TDP cadres and members of the public and injuring several people. The injured were immediately shifted to hospital by ambulance, he said.
Dheeraj said police forces were deployed at full strength, the mob was dispersed and Reddy was moved to a safe room as a precautionary measure. He would be shifted to a safe location once the mob and the public gathering outside had dispersed, he added.
“Anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands would face strict action,” the SP said, emphasising that the election process must be conducted peacefully and without any untoward incidents.
The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission has notified elections to over 100 urban and rural local bodies recently.
(PTI News)
