Political clashes were reported in several districts of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, the second day of nominations for local body elections. Disputes between workers of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) reportedly escalated into stone-pelting, vandalism, the tearing of nomination papers and the setting of a car on fire. Police personnel were also reported injured, prompting the deployment of additional forces in sensitive areas.
Political tensions escalated during the filing of nominations for local body elections in Chandragiri, Tirupati district. Supporters of the two parties confronted each other, following which police registered cases in connection with the incidents. Security arrangements were tightened in the area.
Amid rising tensions across the state, reports also emerged that some opposition leaders had been placed under house arrest. Police issued notices to leaders and deployed additional personnel at locations where further disputes were anticipated. The measures were aimed at preventing further incidents during the nomination process and maintaining law and order.
A dispute over the submission of nomination papers was reported in Anantapur district. According to available information, an MPTC candidate from Itukalapalli arrived at the MPDO office to file a nomination. The candidate's documents were allegedly torn, preventing the submission of the nomination.
The incident led to an argument among those present, which subsequently escalated into a clash. Allegations were also made that opposition supporters were targeted with stones. The candidate and some party leaders were reportedly injured during the incident. Police arrived at the scene and attempted to separate the two groups and bring the situation under control.
A dispute between rival groups over the Mandal Parishad President (MPP) post turned violent in Nandluru, Kadapa district. A car was set on fire during the confrontation. The unrest disrupted traffic on the national highway, forcing vehicles to stop moving through the affected stretch.
Police reached the spot and attempted to control the crowd and reopen the road. Some police personnel involved in efforts to stop the clash were also reported injured. Tensions persisted in the area following the incident, requiring police intervention to contain the situation.
Another incident was reported in Nandluru during the MPTC nomination process. A confrontation reportedly broke out between rival groups after a supporter of M. Vijaya Sekhar Reddy, TDP's state official spokesperson, arrived at the office to file a nomination.
As the dispute escalated, both sides allegedly threw stones, wooden sticks, plastic chairs and glass bottles. The incident caused panic and disrupted traffic on both sides of the national highway. According to a PTI video, police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Stone-pelting was also reported between supporters of rival political parties in Pedda Thippasamudram, Annamayya district. According to available information, several TDP workers sustained serious injuries. Allegations were also made that the Jana Sena Party office had been vandalised.
The incidents across several districts required police intervention amid disputes linked to the nomination process and confrontations between party supporters. Detailed information on investigations into the allegations and the identification of those responsible was not available.
