Amaravati, Oct 19 The YSRCP State General Secretary L Appi Reddy on Monday appealed to the State Election Commissioner to immediately intervene in alleged “violence targeting YSRCP candidates” during the current local body polls after the filing of nominations is over.
“I seek immediate intervention in continuing violence targeting YSRCP candidates after nominations closed. Attacks, abductions, threats to withdraw, destruction of nomination papers and obstruction during scrutiny have turned the electoral process into an exercise in intimidation,” Reddy said in a letter to the SEC.
He requested justice for the victims and action against “the TDP leaders responsible for this and officials supporting them.”
In Kuppam, Reddy alleged that YSRCP chairperson candidate Vijay Kumar was abducted while travelling from his DK Palli residence, adding that his wife Pavani has expressed fear for his life.
According to the opposition leader, candidates of wards 11 and 20, Jayashankar and Jayanth, were allegedly attacked and hospitalised with bleeding head injuries.
TDP supporters attacked MLC Bharath’s Palace Road residence, tore nomination papers and threatened proposers during scrutiny, he alleged.
In Proddatur, Appi Reddy claimed, TDP supporters attacked chairperson candidate P Narasimha Reddy’s residence around midnight, throwing stones and damaging car windows.
His documents were snatched when he approached the municipal office for scrutiny, the YSRCP leader alleged.
“Police obstructed candidates and lathi-charged workers, seriously injuring Rajasekhar near his eye. Former MLA Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy and Narasimha Reddy staged a sit-in,” he said.
In Kanigiri, he alleged that around 200 coalition supporters entered the nomination centre before scrutiny and tore YSRCP nomination papers.
Police blocked the chairperson and ward candidates from entering for verification while permitting ruling-party supporters inside, Appi Reddy claimed.
In Atmakur, TDP leader Yugandhar Reddy tore chairperson candidate Priyanka’s nomination papers during scrutiny, he alleged, claiming that former MLA Silpa Chakrapani Reddy faced an attempted attack after arriving to protest and complained to the district collector.
Detailing further alleged attacks by TDP leaders and cadres against YSRCP candidates and supporters, Appi Reddy claimed that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s government “cannot celebrate participation while opposition candidates face violence.”
“Statewide nomination totals cannot erase these incidents. Police who facilitate obstruction betray their duty. Scrutiny and withdrawal must not become opportunities to eliminate opponents through force,” he said.
I request immediate measures to secure “abducted” candidates, protect candidates, families, proposers and agents, and guarantee access to election proceedings, Appi Reddy asserted.
Criminal action must follow against those responsible for “abductions, assaults, threats, property damage and destruction of papers,” he said.
The YSRCP leader underscored that alleged complicit officials and police personnel must be removed from election duties pending an independent inquiry and disciplinary action.
“Candidates whose papers were destroyed must get an opportunity to establish their submissions and have them considered. Compromised proceedings must be rescheduled under independent supervision and effective protection. No uncontested declaration should reward intimidation or coerced withdrawal,” he said.
I seek urgent justice, accountability and protection, said Appi Reddy, adding that the commission must demonstrate that “political power cannot override a citizen’s right to contest and voters’ right to choose.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that while the “coalition government is working towards development, the YSRCP continues to pursue a destructive agenda.”
“The YSRCP has relied on violence both in the past and in the present elections. The government will take appropriate action against the alleged excesses of YSRCP leaders. The coalition will also confront the party politically and expose its actions,” said the TDP supremo while addressing a press conference at his residence in Undavalli today.
According to the CM, the previous YSRCP government had “misused official power, while its leaders are now resorting to attacks and intimidation.”
Naidu claimed that he is now being held responsible for violence allegedly committed by the YSRCP.
“Violence has no place in my life. But I will not run away from criminals and rowdies. Those who take action against rowdies and goons may become targets of retaliation, but I will not be intimidated by their threats,” the TDP president said.
He alleged that YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, staying in Bengaluru, is “engaging in acts of lawlessness and visiting Andhra Pradesh occasionally to hold press conferences before returning.”
The YSRCP is willing to do anything and commit any crime to secure political power, he alleged.
The party creates disturbances and then attempts to shift the blame onto him, he claimed, alleging that while in power, the YSRCP president made objectionable remarks against the then SEC.
(PTI News)
