The Telugu Desam has asked the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission to take stringent action over alleged attacks on candidates, supporters and police personnel during the nomination process for local body elections, raising concerns about the conduct of the ongoing electoral exercise.
In a complaint submitted on Thursday, Telugu Desam leaders Varla Ramaiah, P. Ashok Babu and Neelayapalem Vijay Kumar alleged that violence and intimidation were being used to obstruct the filing of nominations. They sought immediate intervention by the election authority to protect candidates and ensure free and fair elections.
The complaint cited alleged threats against police personnel by former Proddatur MLA Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy and alleged abuse of police by former minister R.K. Roja at a nomination centre on October 21. These claims were made by the Telugu Desam in its representation to the State Election Commission.
The party also alleged that its leader Pavan Reddy was attacked in Sadum mandal of the Punganur constituency while he was proceeding to file nomination papers. According to the complaint, he was assaulted with sticks and an iron rod, suffered bleeding injuries and was admitted to a hospital in Peeleru. The Telugu Desam further alleged that Peddireddy Sudheer Reddy, whom it identified as the prime accused, had not been arrested.
Another incident was reported by the party at the Mandal Development Officer’s office in Guntakal on October 22. The complaint alleged that YSRC cadres attacked Telugu Desam supporters with stones and sticks, injuring several people. Officials reportedly left the premises amid threats before senior police officers intervened, according to the allegations cited in the complaint.
The Telugu Desam also referred to an alleged attack on its leaders at Kodimi village in Anantapur Rural mandal and violence at Nekarikallu in Palnadu district. Several police personnel were allegedly injured at Nekarikallu. The complaint further alleged that nomination papers belonging to Telugu Desam candidates were seized and torn.
The allegations place the security of nomination centres and the uninterrupted submission of election papers at the centre of the dispute. Local body elections determine the representatives responsible for municipal and rural local administration, making the nomination process an important test of whether candidates can participate without intimidation.
The Telugu Desam has demanded that the State Election Commission take immediate steps to prevent further violence and protect candidates during the remaining nomination process. The report does not include a response from the YSRC or details of any separate action announced by the election authority or police.
