It was a virtual do or die battle for power between Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress party in Andhra Pradesh which went to polls on Thursday for 175 assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats.
Several incidents of violence were reported from different parts of the state, indicating that both the parties did not want to take any chances in grabbing power.
While a TDP activist died in faction-ridden Tadipatri constituency in Anantapur district, the YSR Congress party also claimed that its party worker was killed by the TDP workers at Thamballapalle constituency in Chittoor district at the behest of local MLA Shankar Yadav.
The faction-ridden Rayalaseema and Palnadu regions witnessed violence during the polling. In all six EVMs was damaged including one in Gooty as Jana Sena candidate Madhusudan Gupta slammed the EVM on the floor protesting delay in polling.
TDP worker Siddha Bhaskar Reddy died in a clash with YSRC activists in Veerapuram village of hyper sensitive Tadipatri constituency in Anantapur district.
YSR Congress worker Pulla Reddy was grievously injured, the party confirmed. In Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, workers of the archrival parties pelted stones at each other.
TDP activists attacked Puthalapattu assembly YSRC nominee MS Babu, injuring him and his son.
In Ahobilam under the Allagadda Assembly segment of Kurnool district, state minister Bhuma Akhila Priya’s husband Bhargav and sister Mounika were injured when YSRCP activists pelted stone at their car as they arrived at a polling booth.
Activists of both the parties also indulged in stone pelting. Sub Inspector Sudhakar Reddy and an independent candidate Kunduru Ramireddy and six others were injured.
In Allagadda Mounika Reddy staged a dharna on the road demanding release two TDP workers allegedly kidnapped by YSRCP.
In Sattenapalli, assembly speaker Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao did a big drama by storming into a polling booth and bolting him inside in protest against the attack on him.
His vehicle was damaged as opponents throw huge stones his vehicle parked outside, injuring his assistants. YSR Congress Party refuting allegations claimed that its Narsaraopet candidate Gopireddi Srinivas Reddy was injured.
Though this is not the first time that violent incidents were reported on the polling day. In fact, there used to be huge violence in 80’s and 90’s. But, now these clashes have come back, indicating that both the TDP and YSRC are fighting a tough battle!
