ZPTC by-polls: Voting begins in Andhra’s Pulivendula, Ontimitta; high-stakes battle for Jagan’s YSRCP
Tight security arrangements have been made in both mandals
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi
Kadapa: Amidst tension, polling for the ZPTC by-polls began today in Pulivendula and Ontimitta Mandals of YSR Kadapa district.
Pulivendula is the hometown of former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy and his son YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Kadapa is known to be a stronghold of YSRCP.
For YSRCP, it is not only a prestige issue to retain the ZPTC seat, but to reaffirm its grip on Pulivendula politics, from where the YS family members have won consecutive assembly elections for over 46 years now.
A total of 22 candidates, including 11 independents, are in the fray for the two seats. But the real fight is between TDP and YSRCP.
Voting, conducted through paper ballot, will continue until 5 p.m.
In Pulivendula, 10,600 voters will cast their votes across 15 polling stations, while Ontimitta has 24,000 voters spread across 30 polling stations.
Several Preventive Arrests :
To prevent any untoward incidents, police have placed several leaders under house arrest. MP YS AvinashReddy was detained in Pulivendula ahead of the ZPTC bypoll, while TDP leader Ramgopal Reddy has been placed under house detention.
Police detained many TDP and YSRCP supporters for fair polls.
Tight security arrangements have been made in both mandals, with special check posts set up along the Pulivendula–Ontimitta border and the district border. Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen is overseeing security in Pulivendula. Police have also warned that non-locals should not remain in the area until polling concludes.
YSRCP VS TDP :
In Pulivendula, TDP’s M Latha Reddy faces off against YSRCP’s Tummala Hemant Reddy, Congress’s Shiva Kalyan Reddy, and others.
In Vontimitta, TDP’s Muddu Krishna Reddy contests against YSRCP’s Iragamreddy Subbareddy, Congress’ Vijay Bhaskar, and nine independent candidates.
Attacks between the two parties :
The ZPTC by-elections in Pulivendula have witnessed large-scale protests. YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) staged protests against the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government
YSRCP alleged that TDP cadres are resorting to rigging and threatening their workers. However, TDP blamed YSRCP workers for attacking their cadres when they were en route to vote in Achavalli village.
