TDP and YSRCP Trade Violence Accusations During Andhra Pradesh Elections

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) have traded accusations of violence and state-sponsored intimidation during municipal and parishad election nominations in Andhra Pradesh.

Sri Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, a senior TDP leader, accused the YSRCP of orchestrating hooliganism to prevent TDP candidates from filing nomination papers. Rao cited disruptions in several areas, including Pulivendula and Rajampet, claiming YSRCP cadres destroyed documents and attacked police personnel due to desperation following their 2024 assembly election defeat.

In response, the YSRCP alleged that TDP cadres used stones, sticks, and knives to attack its workers and damage property. The party claimed that police either ignored these attacks or actively supported the TDP. The YSRCP further reported that police conducted widespread house arrests of senior leadership, including Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy, to obstruct the nomination process. Additionally, the YSRCP accused Jana Sena leaders in Pithapuram of abducting a municipal candidate to force a signature on a withdrawal form.