Electoral Violence and Police Intervention
Widespread Clashes Across Constituencies
Protest Outside RO Office in Pulivendula
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy staged a sit-in protest (dharna) outside the Returning Officer (RO) office in Pulivendula. He brought along affected party agents directly to the Election Commission and RO authorities to directly raise complaints and demand action. Jagan alleged that TDP workers illegally captured nearly 70 out of the 80 polling booths in the Pulivendula municipality early in the morning to rig the voting process.
Removal of Opposition Agents
He explained to election officials that YSRCP polling agents were forcefully dragged out and prevented from entering the polling stations, rendering the election process completely one-sided. He questioned how polling could legitimately proceed without opposition representatives present at the booths. Collusion of Police and Officials: He directly accused the local police administration, the District Collector, and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of turning a blind eye and aiding the ruling party activists. He noted that officials failed to respond to multiple complaints submitted throughout the morning. Demand for Repolling: Jagan formally demanded that the Election Commission cancel the ongoing election exercise and order a fresh re-poll across the affected polling stations with adequate security and oversight
Expressing deep anguish over the incidents during the nomination process in Pulivendula, Jaganmohan Reddy questioned whether democracy still exists or has completely collapsed. He pointed out that out of total council and ZPTC seats, opposition candidates were forcibly blocked and prevented from filing nominations for a large majority of seats. Condemning Official Bias and Police Overreach: He lashed out at certain officials and police personnel, accusing them of acting in a blatantly partisan manner, violating rules, and behaving inhumanely by resorting to lathi-charges and intimidation against YSRCP cadres.
Direct Warning to Officials
In a strong cautionary note to administrative and police officers, he warned: “Even if you retire, we will not spare any official who has committed injustice. We will pay it back with interest when our time comes, and no one will be spared.”
Call for Fairness
He asserted that raising voice and coming forward to file nominations is not a crime, and challenged the ruling dispensation, stating that suppressing the opposition through heavy-handed tactics shows fear of facing a free and fair contest.
Clashes and Confrontations
In Kadapa district—particularly in Pulivendula, Kadapa, and Jammalamadugu—ruling and opposition party workers faced off outside polling and nomination centers. Incidents of stone-pelting, vehicle vandalism, and mob confrontations created a tense atmosphere.
Vandalism and Escalation
Towns like Punganuru, Rayachoti, and Tadipatri witnessed severe disruptions, including stone-throwing, damage to vehicles, and arson, turning parts of the constituencies into battlegrounds. Similar political flare-ups and friction were reported in Chilakaluripet, Macharla, and Kuppam during the electoral processes.
Police Intervention
Security forces and police personnel had to resort to lathi-charges and heavy deployment to disperse aggressive mobs, bring the situation under control, and restore order across the sensitive voting zones.
Editor, Prime Post
Ravindra Seshu Amaravadi, is a senior journalist with 38 years of experience in Telugu, English news papers and electronic media. He worked in Udayam as a sub-editor and reporter. Later, he was associated with Andhra Pradesh Times, Gemini news, Deccan Chronicle, HMTV and The Hans India. Earlier, he was involved in the research work of All India Kisan Sabha on suicides of cotton farmers. In Deccan Chronicle, he exposed the problems of subabul and chilli farmers and malpractices that took place in various government departments.
Email: ravindraseshu7@gmail.com
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