Violence During Filing of Nominations Continues in Kadapa, Kurnool Districts
YSRC alleges TD activists obstructed candidates, snatched and tore nomination papers in Kadapa and Kurnool districts ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Incidents of violence continued during the filing of ZPTC and MPTC nominations in Kadapa and Kurnool districts, with allegations that ruling Telugu Desam (TD) activists intimidated, attacked, and tore up nomination papers of opposition candidates.
Several YSRC candidates have complained of being prevented from filing their nominations ahead of the deadline on Friday.
Kadapa district has been witnessing a series of clashes during filing of nominations, earlier for mayoral seats and now for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs).
YSRC leaders alleged that TD activists tore nomination papers and obstructed candidates at Yerraguntla, Kamalapuram, Jammalamadugu, Ontimitta, and Pulivendula, among other places. They claimed that they had found unfamiliar people gathered near Zilla Parishad offices. These people are intimidating, snatching, and tearing papers of candidates attempting to enter the ZP offices for filing nominations.
In Jammalamadugu, it is alleged even police stopped candidates who arrived to file their nominations. Similar allegations of intimidation have been reported near Mandal Parishad Development Office premises, where MPTC aspirants are being prevented from submitting their papers.
Several YSRC leaders have been placed under house arrest or are under detention. Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy had been placed under house arrest on Thursday morning. Former deputy chief minister S. Amjad Basha, MLC S. Ramachandra Reddy, district YSRC president P. Ravindranath Reddy, former mayor Suresh Babu and Paka Suresh are among those detained and shifted to Atluru police station in Badvel constituency.
According to YSRC sources, their candidates have failed to file a single nomination in any mandal in Kadapa district on Thursday, the second day of the nomination process. Party leaders alleged that the police failed to prevent obstruction and attacks on candidates.
In Kurnool district, filing of nominations turned tense at Krishnagiri. A YSRC candidate, who arrived with nomination papers, had been allegedly attacked, his papers snatched, and forced to leave. Police reportedly failed to bring the situation under control.
Similar allegations of obstructions have been reported from several ZPTC constituencies in Kurnool district. Independent candidates are also allegedly being prevented from filing nominations at some places, according to local reports.
Friday is the last date for filing nominations. Candidates have expressed concern whether they will be allowed to submit their papers on the day. This has raised questions about the nomination process and inability of police to counter intimidation and clashes in Kadapa and Kurnool districts.
