Vijayawada, October 2026 : Several senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders, including Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, Ravindranath Reddy, former Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha and MLC Ramachandra Reddy, were detained by police in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday amid allegations of attacks, intimidation and obstruction during the nomination process for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections.
The Opposition party alleged that incidents of violence against its candidates, leaders and workers continued for the second consecutive day of nominations. According to the YSRCP, several senior leaders were arrested or placed under house arrest from early morning, allegedly preventing them from accompanying candidates and ensuring that nomination papers were submitted.
The party accused the police of failing to act against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders and cadres allegedly involved in attacks on Opposition candidates, while taking action against YSRCP leaders attempting to participate in the electoral process.
Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy Detained
Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy was detained while attempting to assist YSRCP candidates in filing their nominations. A large police contingent surrounded his residence in Pulivendula and allegedly prevented him from leaving, effectively restricting his participation in the election process.
Later, when Avinash Reddy reached the YSRCP office in Kadapa, police personnel surrounded the premises and attempted to take him into custody. Tension reportedly prevailed as party workers gathered to resist the action. Police subsequently took Avinash Reddy and senior party leader Ravindranath Reddy from the office.
According to the party, Avinash Reddy was being taken towards Pulivendula, while Ravindranath Reddy, former Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha and MLC Ramachandra Reddy were reportedly moved towards Ontimitta.
The YSRCP questioned the rationale behind detaining its senior leaders, maintaining that they were attempting to help candidates exercise their democratic right to contest local body elections.
Reacting to the police action, Avinash Reddy alleged that police personnel were forcibly taking away YSRCP candidates to prevent them from filing nominations. He claimed that TDP workers were attacking Opposition candidates with stones and sticks while police failed to intervene effectively.
He also questioned whether election-related restrictions were being applied equally to leaders of both parties.
Former MLAs Placed Under House Arrest
In Anantapur district, former MLA Kethireddy Pedda Reddy was placed under house arrest at Thimmapalli village in Tadimarri mandal. He was reportedly preparing to accompany YSRCP candidates for filing nominations following allegations that TDP workers had obstructed the process in Yellanur.
Police allegedly prevented him from leaving his residence. Kethireddy condemned the action and questioned why Opposition leaders were being restricted instead of authorities taking steps to prevent alleged violence.
Former minister and senior YSRCP leader Sake Sailajanath was also placed under house arrest in Singanamala. Former MLA Y. Venkatarami Reddy was similarly placed under house arrest in Anantapur and reportedly served police notices in connection with the MPTC and ZPTC elections.
Violence Alleged in Bapatla District
In Bapatla district, incidents of violence were reported in Nizampatnam in the Repalle constituency. YSRCP leaders alleged that TDP cadres tore nomination papers belonging to party candidates, damaged a vehicle owned by a candidate and attacked Opposition leaders.
Three YSRCP leaders reportedly sustained injuries in the incident. Party representatives alleged that the attacks took place at the instigation of Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, while criticising the police for allegedly failing to prevent the violence or take action against those responsible.
These allegations could not be independently established from the information available in the report.
Arrests Reported in Kuppam and Palnadu
In the Kuppam constituency, YSRCP leader Dandapani of Santhipuram was reportedly arrested. The party described the detention as illegal and alleged that police had not informed his family about his whereabouts, raising concerns among relatives over his safety.
The YSRCP demanded that authorities disclose his location and explain the grounds for his detention.
In Palnadu district, police reportedly detained several YSRCP leaders in Pedakurapadu ahead of the MPTC and ZPTC nomination process. The party alleged that MPTC candidate Bachcha was forcibly taken away and that several other leaders had been detained on Wednesday night.
In Macherla, former MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy was placed under house arrest, according to the party. A large police force was deployed around his residence, where iron fencing and barricades were reportedly erected to restrict movement.
YSRCP Raises Questions Over Election Process
The series of reported detentions and alleged attacks has intensified the political confrontation between the YSRCP and the ruling TDP during the local body nomination process.
The Opposition party has called for impartial policing and equal treatment of candidates and leaders from all political parties. It has also alleged that restrictions and violence are affecting its candidates' ability to participate in the elections.
The allegations underscore the importance of ensuring a peaceful nomination process, protecting candidates from intimidation and allowing all eligible contestants to exercise their electoral rights. The claims made by the YSRCP and its leaders would require independent verification, along with responses from the police and the TDP, to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents.
