The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has accused Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders and workers of attacking its candidates and obstructing the filing of nominations in the ongoing local body elections in Andhra Pradesh. It has urged Director-General of Police (DGP) to investigate the incidents and take action against those responsible.
In a letter dated October 26, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the police had failed to intervene despite complaints, allowing nomination papers to be torn up and candidates to be prevented from filing their papers.
The letter listed incidents at 13 locations involving municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats, Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs).
At the Puthalapattu Mandal Development Office, Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged that CPI(M) leader V. Gangaraju was kidnapped by the local MLA while a party candidate was filing an MPTC nomination.
In Komarolu mandal of Markapuram district, party leader P. Avulaiah was allegedly attacked with stones while proceeding to file an MPTC nomination. He sustained serious head injuries and was undergoing treatment in a critical condition, the letter said.
In Badvel in Kadapa district, candidates and Left party leaders were allegedly prevented from filing nominations, and their papers were torn up. In the 29th ward of Kanigiri, CPI(M) town secretary Kesava Rao was allegedly pushed out while supporting candidate P. Narendra, and the receipts in his possession were torn up.
In Palnadu district, party candidates were prevented from filing nominations at Utukuru, Erraballem and Perikapadu in Krosuru mandal. Party leaders Lakshmiswara Reddy and Naik were allegedly attacked when they intervened.
The CPI(M) also alleged that its ZPTC candidates faced obstruction in Sattenapalli, Muppalla and Krosuru. At Krosuru, candidate Ganjimala Ravibabu was subjected to caste-based abuse and his nomination papers were torn up, according to the letter. Mr. Srinivasa Rao sought action against those responsible under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Other incidents cited in the letter included an alleged attack on a woman candidate in Pamuru, obstruction of MPTC candidates in Kosigi mandal of Kurnool district, and interference with nominations in C.S. Puram, Gooty, Sattenapalli, Tirupati Municipal Corporation and Brahmamgarimattam in Kadapa district.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao urged the DGP to conduct a direct inquiry, register cases and arrest those found responsible. He alleged that police inaction had undermined candidates’ ability to participate in the electoral process.
Published - October 26, 2026 07:18 pm IST