Annamayya Superintendent of Police Dheeraj K has blamed the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, for the violence that broke out during the nomination process for local body elections in Punganur on Friday.
The police alleged that YSRCP Rajampet MP PV Midhun Reddy and his supporters violated election guidelines, breached security barricades and triggered a disturbance, while the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSRCP traded accusations over the incident.
In a statement, SP Dheeraj K said Midhun Reddy, accompanied by around 100 party workers and supporters, allegedly violated State Election Commission rules governing access to the nomination centre.
According to the guidelines, only the candidate filing the nomination and two other people are permitted within the 100-metre perimeter of the Returning Officer's office.
The SP alleged that the MP and his supporters arrived from Punganur town in six batches using multiple vehicles and drove through security barricades and gates at high speed.
The incident prompted protests from TDP workers and members of the public, following which police personnel intervened to disperse the gathering.
Dheeraj K further alleged that a vehicle suspected to be associated with the YSRCP entered the nomination centre rashly and moved towards TDP cadres and members of the public, injuring several people. The injured were shifted to hospital by ambulance.
The SP said police forces were deployed in full strength to bring the situation under control.
Midhun Reddy was secured in a safe room as a precautionary measure and was to be moved to a safe location after the crowd outside dispersed.
Warning against further escalation, Dheeraj K said anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands would face strict action. He stressed that the election process must be conducted peacefully and without any untoward incidents.
TDP, YSRCP TRADE CHARGES
The ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP offered conflicting accounts of the violence.
The YSRCP alleged that TDP workers attacked vehicles in Midhun Reddy's convoy with stones, sticks and iron rods while he was accompanying party candidates and leaders to file nominations.
The opposition party also claimed that TDP workers blocked the convoy, attempted to prevent its candidates from reaching the nomination centre and vandalised vehicles belonging to its leaders.
A security guard accompanying Midhun Reddy reportedly sustained a head injury.
The YSRCP accused police personnel present at the scene of failing to stop the alleged attackers and protect candidates.
It demanded the intervention of the State Election Commission, registration of criminal cases, arrests of those responsible and action against officers who allegedly failed to prevent the violence.
The party also sought adequate security for candidates and their proposers, along with arrangements to ensure that those affected could submit their nomination papers without obstruction.
The TDP, meanwhile, accused Midhun Reddy and his supporters of attacking party leader Madhu Royal and deliberately driving a vehicle towards TDP candidates and police personnel.
In a post on X, the party alleged that the convoy's supporters were under the influence of alcohol and had entered the area with the intention of assaulting people.
POLICE DENY ATTACK ON MP
Madanapalli Deputy Superintendent of Police B Prasad said Midhun Reddy arrived in a convoy of more than 10 vehicles, mostly SUVs, and drove through the area without stopping, creating a disturbance.
"It was not an attack on the MP (Reddy). He arrived in a convoy of more than 10 vehicles even before the nomination process, creating a disturbance. Several people, including police personnel, sustained injuries," Prasad told news agency PTI.
Visuals purportedly from the scene showed four SUVs overturned, smashed windowpanes and several cars that appeared to have been burnt.
The Andhra Pradesh poll body has recently notified elections to more than 100 urban and rural local bodies.
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With PTI inputs