YSRCP office in Rayachoti partly set on fire, vehicles torched; party blames TDP activists

Three vehicles were set on fire and the YSRCP office was partially burnt in Rayachoti in Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district on Friday (October 16, 2026) morning after a clash between activists of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

The clash broke out minutes after former Rayachoti MLA and YSRCP leader Gadikota Srikanth Reddy addressed the media. He alleged that the TDP legislator from the constituency, Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, was intimidating YSRCP leaders contesting the elections.

Soon after, activists allegedly belonging to the TDP reached the YSRCP office at SN Colony in Rayachoti and attacked the vehicles parked outside. Three vehicles were set on fire, some two-wheelers were damaged and the party office too was partially set on fire.

When additional police forces reached the locality, the protesters partially damaged a police vehicle. The police resorted to a mild lathi-charge and dispersed the activists and leaders of both parties. Fire tenders doused the flames, and the police brought the situation under control.

Mr. Srikanth Reddy alleged that the TDP, which was treating the elections as a matter of prestige, was trying to win them by resorting to violence. He said the party should instead fulfil its poll promises and win the hearts of the people.

The incident created panic among residents because the office is in a residential area.