Clashes broke out between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) members during the scrutiny of nomination papers in Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, prompting police to resort to a lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Several people were reportedly injured in the police action.
Tensions flared at the nomination centre as members of the two parties clashed during the scrutiny process. Police intervened and used batons to disperse those involved in the confrontation.
The incident comes amid allegations of violence, intimidation and interference in the local body election process, with both sides trading accusations over the conduct of the polls.
NAIDU ACCUSES YSRCP OF CREATING TENSIONS
The clashes in Kuppam come against the backdrop of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's allegations that the YSRCP was attempting to create disturbances during the election process.
Speaking at a press meet in Undavalli, Naidu accused the opposition party of bringing gangs, rowdies and criminals from Punjab and other states to create trouble in areas including Punganur and Rayachoti. He also named Dharmavaram, Tirupati, Pulivendula and Darsi, alleging that the YSRCP was attempting to carry out its activities unchecked in these regions.
Naidu further accused the YSRCP of approaching courts repeatedly to obstruct government decisions and electoral processes.
WHAT JAGAN ALLEGED A DAY EARLIER
A day earlier, YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had accused the ruling TDP of using government officials, police personnel and party supporters to influence the election process, alleging that the coalition lacked confidence in the people's mandate.
Jagan claimed that YSRCP candidates had their nomination papers snatched away and that party workers and their associates were attacked, kidnapped and intimidated. He also accused the ruling party of arson and filing false cases against opposition workers, allegedly with the knowledge of the police.
Jagan also alleged that YSRCP MPs and workers faced obstruction in Kadapa, Punganur and Tirupati, where nomination papers were allegedly seized or not accepted, vehicles were attacked and supporters assaulted.
In Pulivendula, he accused police personnel of favouring the TDP, alleging that they pelted stones and fired in the air to intimidate candidates who had arrived to file their nominations. He described the alleged firing during the nomination process as unprecedented.
He further alleged that TDP supporters were allowed to gather in groups while YSRCP workers were prevented from entering nomination centres, even when accompanied by the four persons permitted under the rules.
Jagan claimed that YSRCP candidates were still unable to file their nominations in several places on the final day, including Tirupati, Kadapa, Kamalapuram, Rayachoti, Punganur, Darsi, Gurazala, Dachepalli, Piduguralla, Badvel and Rajampet.
The clashes come amid heightened tensions between the TDP and YSRCP over allegations of violence and intimidation during the local body election process.
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