Brief
Clashes erupt in Rayalaseema as municipal nominations begin
Supporters of the TDP and YSRCP fought in Punganur, Rayachoti, Tirupati and Dharmavaram, prompting calls for central forces.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Widespread violence erupted across Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, the first day of municipal election nominations, as supporters of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alliance and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) clashed in several districts.
What happened
In Punganur, Annamayya district, the trouble began near the returning officer’s office at Basava Raja Junior College when YSRCP Lok Sabha floor leader and Rajampet MP PV Midhun Reddy arrived with councillor candidates to file nominations. A rival TDP group blocked the convoy, leading to a pitched battle involving stones and sticks. Two vehicles in the MP’s convoy were damaged and two local TDP leaders, along with the MP’s gunman, were injured. Police deployed heavy force, escorted Midhun Reddy to his native village Sodum and restored order.
Similar unrest spread to Rayachoti, where vehicles of YSRCP leaders were set on fire and the party office vandalised. The conflict followed a heated exchange between Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and former MLA G Srikanth Reddy, who had earlier held a press conference at the YSRCP office to discuss nominations.
Additional incidents were reported in Tirupati and Dharmavaram, with stone‑pelting and vehicle vandalism reported in each location.
What was said
YSRCP president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the attack on Midhun Reddy, saying he spoke with the MP by phone to check his condition and alleging that “public resentment after two‑and‑a‑half years of coalition rule” was fueling the violence. He demanded deployment of central paramilitary forces.
Annamayya District SP Dheeraj Kunubilli said the MP’s convoy had breached State Election Commission rules on candidate entourages and vehicle boundaries. Coalition leaders, citing video evidence, accused Midhun Reddy of instigating the clash.
How it came about
The municipal election process in Andhra Pradesh began on Friday, with nominations opening across the Rayalaseema region. Tensions have risen since the YSRCP‑TDP coalition took power two and a half years ago, a period that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy says has generated public anger. Earlier reports linked the transport minister’s dispute with former MLA Srikanth Reddy to the escalation of violence in Rayachoti.
Key facts
- Violent clashes broke out in Punganur, Rayachoti, Tirupati and Dharmavaram on the first day of municipal nominations. (newindianexpress.com)
- MP PV Midhun Reddy's convoy was attacked, two vehicles damaged and two TDP leaders injured. (newindianexpress.com)
- YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded central paramilitary deployment. (newindianexpress.com)
- Annamayya District SP Dheeraj Kunubilli said the convoy violated election commission rules. (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “Clashes erupt in Rayalaseema on first day of nominations”
