The nomination process for local body elections in Andhra Pradesh has been marred by clashes between the ruling party and the opposition. Violence broke out on the first day of nominations, with sticks and stones used in confrontations before candidates could reach designated filing centres. Rayachoti, in Annamayya district, and Punganur, in Chittoor district, were among the areas affected, with reports of assaults and arson.
In Rayachoti’s SN Colony, members of the ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP attacked one another. Hundreds of workers from both parties clashed with sticks and stones, turning the streets into a scene of disorder. A group also entered the YSRCP office and set fire to the building, while vehicles nearby were targeted.
About 15 cars were damaged and four were completely destroyed by fire. Former YSRCP MLA Gadikota Srikanth Reddy was inside the party office when the vehicles outside were set alight, but was unharmed. Police arrived and dispersed the groups. A large police presence has since been deployed in Rayachoti, where tension remains high.
