The YSR Congress Party appears to have decided to continue its fight against the alleged undemocratic conduct of the Pulivendula and Vontimitta ZPTC by-elections, accusing the ruling party of rigging and police complicity.
YSRCP MLC Lella Appireddy submitted two petitions to the State Election Commission (SEC) requesting detailed information.
The party stated that the ruling party seized polling booths, barred YSRCP agents, snatched their authorization forms, and prevented supporters, including candidate Tummala Hemanth Reddy, from voting.
The party claims widespread rigging, with police aiding the ruling party’s actions. Despite 35 complaints to the SEC, including evidence of an attempted attack on YSRCP leaders before the polls, no action was taken.
YSRCP demands the SEC provide all requested details promptly to expose electoral malpractices.
In two separate representations submitted by Lella Appi Reddy, the party sought the following: CCTV footage from polling stations and premises, Video coverage of incidents during polling, Webcasting records of the polling process, List of agents present inside polling booths, Presiding Officers’ (PO) diaries, Form–12 and Form–32 documents
Appi Reddy urged the SEC to furnish the above information at the earliest. The YSRCP pointed out that from the day the by-elections were announced, the ruling party allegedly unleashed violence and lawlessness, while the police acted in their support.
A week before the polls, YSRCP MLC Ramesh Yadav and senior leader Velpula Ramalinga Reddy were allegedly attacked in an attempted murder incident, on which the party also lodged a formal complaint with evidence before the SEC — but it went unheeded.
On polling day, YSRCP alleged that the ruling party leaders and cadre took control of all booths from early morning, prevented YSRCP agents from even stepping inside, and forcibly seized authorization forms from them.
Supporters of YSRCP were reportedly obstructed from voting, and in Pulivendula, even YSRCP candidate Tummala Hemant Reddy was not allowed to leave his house to cast his vote.
The party further alleged massive rigging, widespread misuse of police forces, and complete denial of democratic rights. Despite filing immediate complaints with evidence, no action was taken by the SEC.
Against this backdrop, YSRCP has now demanded detailed polling records, videos, and evidence pertaining to both by-elections.
