Andhra Pradesh, Nov 5: The Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections in Andhra Pradesh witnessed several incidents of violence, clashes and alleged electoral irregularities on Thursday, November 5. Reports of attacks on YSRCP workers, intimidation of polling agents, alleged rigging, and restrictions on voters emerged from several districts across the state.
The elections are being held for 582 ZPTC and 7,767 MPTC seats, with 20,966 candidates in the contest. Around 2.61 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise at 31,460 polling stations.
YSRCP leaders accused TDP workers of attempting to influence the polling process through intimidation, physical attacks and alleged booth capturing. They also questioned the role of the police, alleging that opposition party workers and polling agents were being targeted while ruling party supporters were allowed to operate freely.
Petrol Bomb Attacks and Violence in Railway Kodur
One of the serious incidents was reported from Nallapureddypalle village in Penagaluru mandal of Railway Kodur constituency. TDP supporters allegedly attacked YSRCP workers with petrol bombs, even in the presence of police personnel. Several YSRCP workers reportedly sustained injuries in the attack.
Violence was also reported from different villages in Pulivendula constituency. Allegations included attacks on women voters, forced entry into houses and attempts to prevent people from reaching polling stations.
In Erripalle village, petrol bombs were reportedly thrown near polling booths, triggering fires and tension in the area. In Lingala mandal’s Dondlavagu village, allegations emerged that outsiders were moving around with rods, knives and sticks.
Attacks on YSRCP Polling Agents in Several Districts
Several incidents involving polling agents were reported from Anantapur, Tirupati, Annamayya, Kadapa and other districts.
In Obili village of Penagaluru mandal, Tirupati district, YSRCP leaders alleged that their polling agents were forcibly removed from polling booths, allowing ruling coalition supporters to engage in irregularities.
Similar allegations emerged from Charala polling station in Chowdepalle mandal of Punganur constituency, where YSRCP agents were reportedly denied entry.
In Punganur mandal’s Edigapalli village and Chowdepalle mandal’s Durgasamudram village, coalition leaders allegedly snatched the identity cards of YSRCP polling agents and forced them out of polling stations.
In Kuppam constituency, represented by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, tensions were reported from Bandarlapalli panchayat in Ramakuppam mandal. YSRCP polling agents Mahesh and Somasekhar were allegedly prevented from entering polling booths 14 and 15 and forcibly sent out.
In Nandikottkur constituency, YSRCP leaders alleged that several party workers were detained at police stations to prevent them from participating in the elections.
Attacks on Candidates and Media Personnel in Kadapa
Violence was also reported from Ippatla village in Lingala mandal of YSR district.
According to allegations, a group of TDP supporters attacked Sakshi journalist Pullareddy with sticks. YSRCP ZPTC candidate Sridevi and independent candidate Surekha were also reportedly attacked.
The attackers allegedly attempted to snatch gold chains from the women candidates. The journalist and candidates sustained injuries in the incident.
YSRCP leaders further alleged that their polling agents were prevented from entering polling stations in the area.
In Pedda Mudium mandal, tensions were reported even before polling began. A YSRCP leader’s car was allegedly attacked near Bhutapuram village, damaging its window. Police personnel also reportedly surrounded the residence of MLC Ramasubbareddy in Gundlakunta village.
Tensions in Chandragiri Over Alleged Fake Voting
Tensions escalated in Chandragiri constituency of Tirupati district following allegations of fake voting and rigging.
YSRCP leaders alleged that suspicious outsiders had gathered near polling stations in Sainagar, Mangalam and Oteru areas. Former MLA and senior YSRCP leader Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy reportedly confronted some suspected fake voters in Sainagar panchayat, leading to tense situations.
According to YSRCP supporters, Chevireddy attempted to identify and catch people suspected of participating in fake voting. Some individuals reportedly ran away when he confronted them.
The incident also became politically controversial after local MLA Pulivarthi Nani’s wife, Sudha Reddy, reportedly met Chevireddy during the confrontation. YSRCP supporters alleged that the interaction was an attempt to divert his attention from the fake voting issue.
Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders raised concerns over alleged rigging in Mangalam and Oteru polling stations and accused the MLA’s supporters of interfering with the election process.
The detention of YSRCP general agent Ashok Reddy by police and his transfer to Tiruchanur police station also triggered criticism from the opposition party.
Allegations of Police Bias and Arrests of Opposition Leaders
YSRCP leaders raised serious concerns over the conduct of police personnel in several constituencies.
In Uravakonda and other parts of Anantapur district, party leaders alleged that polling agents were arrested and detained at police stations, preventing them from performing their election duties.
Former minister Sake Sailajanath was reportedly stopped by police when he was travelling to the Anantapur SP office to complain about alleged rigging and attacks by TDP leaders in Singanamala constituency. He later staged a protest at the SP office.
In Kurnool district’s Krishnagiri constituency, YSRCP leaders alleged that their polling agents were detained even before polling began. They claimed that some agents were threatened with preventive detention if they visited polling stations.
Former YSRCP MLAs Shilpa Chakrapani Reddy and Shilpa Ravichandra Kishore Reddy were reportedly placed under house arrest in Nandyal.
In other areas, YSRCP leaders alleged that police personnel were selectively detaining opposition workers while allowing TDP supporters to move around polling stations.
More Clashes Reported Across AP
Several other districts also reported polling-related tensions.
- Gurazala: TDP leaders allegedly created trouble in Pillutla village of Machavaram mandal over polling arrangements and voter turnout.
- Uravakonda: Tensions erupted in Marutla village of Kudair mandal following allegations of rigging. Angry villagers reportedly took away a ballot box and tore ballot papers.
- Srikakulam: Police detained the son of YSRCP candidate Usharani and former MPTC member Sridhar Reddy in Tekkali, triggering protests from party workers.
- Nuzvid: Clashes were reported in Narsimharaopalem village of Agiripalli mandal over an elderly woman’s vote. Polling was also disrupted at a centre near Gollapalli due to the unavailability of a stamp pad.
- NTR district: Tension prevailed at a polling station in Kalagara village of Vissannapeta mandal after a TDP leader allegedly pushed out a polling agent.
- Prakasam: In Tanamchintala village of Darsi mandal, YSRCP leaders alleged that their agents were removed and TDP supporters attempted to take control of polling booths.
- Nandyal: An alleged attack on a YSRCP leader’s family member was reported near a polling booth in Nehrunagar village.
- Kadapa: YSRCP leaders alleged that TDP supporters surrounded polling stations in J. Kottalapalli village of Pedda Mudium mandal and prevented voters from exercising their franchise.
Voters Face Problems Due to Electoral Arrangements
Apart from violence and political clashes, voters also faced difficulties due to alleged administrative lapses.
In Makavarapalem mandal of Anakapalli district, discrepancies were reported between voter slips distributed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the electoral rolls available at polling stations. Several voters reportedly struggled to find their names and correct polling booths.
In Renigunta, Tirupati district, voters complained that they had not received their voter slips. Allegations were also raised over a TDP office operating close to polling booths, in violation of election rules.
In Narsipatnam constituency, polling was reportedly disrupted at some booths due to mismatches between voter slips and electoral lists.
Meanwhile, residents of Rayanaipeta village in Bheemunipatnam mandal reportedly boycotted the elections, alleging that the government had failed to provide basic facilities. All 120 voters in the village reportedly stayed away from polling.
Questions Raised Over Free and Fair Elections
The widespread reports of clashes, alleged rigging, attacks on candidates and journalists, and the removal of opposition polling agents have raised serious concerns over the conduct of the AP MPTC and ZPTC elections.
YSRCP leaders have accused the ruling TDP-led coalition of attempting to influence the election results through intimidation and violence. They have also questioned the police department’s response to complaints from opposition candidates and workers.
With incidents being reported from multiple districts, the conduct of the police and election authorities has come under scrutiny. The opposition has demanded action against those responsible and called for measures to ensure that voters can exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
