TDP has approached the Andhra Pradesh SEC over alleged violence and intimidation at local body nomination centres, citing attacks on leaders, injured police personnel and vehicles set on fire.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has approached the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC), seeking stringent action over alleged incidents of violence, intimidation and disruption at nomination centres during the ongoing local body election process. In its representation dated October 23, TDP alleged that YSRCP cadres were involved in attacks on political leaders, assaults on police personnel and incidents of vehicles being set on fire.
The party cited several incidents across the state and urged the SEC to ensure impartial enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and provide a safe environment for candidates to file nominations.
According to the figures cited by the TDP, a total of 32,095 nominations have been filed for 9,829 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats across 28 districts.
TDP candidates reportedly filed 15,017 nominations, compared with 12,419 by YSRCP, 2,073 by Jana Sena Party and 562 by the BJP.
For 659 Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) seats, the party cited a total of 2,805 nominations. YSRCP candidates reportedly filed 1,092 nominations, slightly ahead of TDP's 1,055. Jana Sena Party filed 178 nominations, while BJP candidates filed 111.
The TDP argued that these figures indicate substantial participation in the nomination process. It also accused the YSRCP of making misleading claims about alleged obstacles to nominations. The nomination figures and the parties' competing claims require verification against official election records.
In its representation, TDP State General Secretary and MLC P. Ashok Babu referred to several incidents in different constituencies.
At Hanumanthunipadu in Kanigiri constituency on October 22, a mob allegedly attempted to enter a nomination centre forcibly, pushed police personnel and assaulted TDP leader Laxmi and Jana Sena leader Imran. According to the representation, Laxmi sustained bleeding injuries.
In Krishnagiri mandal of Pathikonda constituency, YSRCP cadres allegedly arrived at a nomination centre carrying sticks and stones and attacked TDP leaders and police personnel. Constable Raghavendra was reportedly injured in the incident.
The TDP also alleged that a car belonging to senior party leader Mattam Prabhakar was set on fire at Kuravapalli village in Chandragiri constituency in the early hours of October 23. The representation further referred to attacks on party leaders and the burning of two motorcycles in Annamayya district.
Other incidents cited by the party included an alleged gathering of around 300 YSRCP supporters who obstructed traffic on a national highway at Yadlapadu after being prevented from entering a nomination office in a large group.
The representation also referred to an alleged attack on TDP leader Jenni Subrahmanyam and his relatives in Choudepalli mandal, along with reported disruptions at nomination centres in parts of Sri Sathya Sai and Palnadu districts.
The allegations were presented by the TDP in its complaint to the SEC. Independent confirmation of the individual incidents and the responsibility of those involved was not provided in the material supplied.
The TDP also compared the current nomination process with uncontested victories recorded during the previous YSRCP government.
According to figures cited by the party, 20.72% of urban local body seats were won uncontested during the previous regime. It further claimed that 24% of MPTC seats and 19% of ZPTC seats were secured through unanimous elections.
The TDP argued that the YSRCP's current allegations should be examined alongside its record in government. It also alleged that the party was applying different standards to uncontested victories and the present nomination process.
These percentages should be checked against official election statistics before publication as established facts.
The TDP has urged the SEC to direct the police to take stringent action against those responsible for the alleged violence, enforce the Model Code of Conduct impartially and prevent intimidation at nomination centres.
The party maintained that all candidates should be able to participate in the electoral process without fear or obstruction.
The allegations outlined in the representation remain claims made by the TDP. A response from the YSRCP and independent confirmation from the police or election authorities would be needed to establish the facts surrounding the reported incidents
