Huzurabad by-poll: TRS distributing money, campaigning on election day, says BJP

Gujjula Premender Reddy, BJP state general secretary, alleged that Wardhannapet legislator Aroori Ramesh was distributing money to voters while polling was in progress.

"The authorities have to take action against the TRS leaders who are distributing money. Despite BJP activists complaining about the matter and holding a dharna, the police have so far not done anything to the legislator. It is unfortunate that the house was not searched and the money was not seized," said Mr. Premender Reddy.

The BJP condemned the attempt to arrest its activists. "BJP is demanding immediate arrest of Aroori Ramesh," said Mr. Premender Reddy.

BJP cadres stop TRS leader

Meanwhile, TRS leader Kaushik Reddy was stopped by BJP cadres in Ganumukkala village.

Mr. Kaushik Reddy is the TRS party's chief election agent. According to the rules, he can go inside the polling stations. But the BJP cadres alleged that he was influencing voters in the queue.

BJP leaders shouted "Go Back" slogans after they spotted Mr. Kaushik Reddy. The police intervened and whisked the TRS leader away. Tension prevailed in the village even after he was taken away. TRS and BJP activists clashed prompting the police to intervene. Later, the police asked voters who cast their ballots and asked them not to assemble at the polling booths.

TRS says Eatala held press meet on election day

TRS filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against BJP candidate Eatala Rajender for holding a press meet on the day of the Huzurabad by-poll.

In its complaint, the TRS alleged that Eatala violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and deliberately committed a criminal offence by holding a press meet on the day of the by-poll. The complaint filed by TRS general secretary Bharat Kumar Soma said the BJP candidate had tried to influence voters during the press meet at a polling booth in Channa Badi, Kamalapur.

Mr. Soma also mentioned Mr. Rajender's wife in the complaint and alleged that she had called the TRS unjust while claiming that the BJP was on the side of truth and justice. He further alleged that the BJP had reportedly asked voters to vote in their favour stating that voters in other polling booths were 'blessing' them.