Tirupati by-polls : TDP, BJP, YSRCP in slugfest over bogus votes

Tirupati :The by-polls to 23 Tirupati parliamentary constituencies started on a high voltage note with all three parties - TDP, YSRCP and BJP in the fray - alleging each other of bogus votes. The parties have put out videos as evidence to prove that score of bogus votes have been polled.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has accused the ruling YSRCP of bogus voting. TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has dashed off a letter to the Election Commission of India alleging that thousands of YSRCP henchmen were brought from outside in hundreds of buses to cast fake votes, instigate violence, impersonate absentees and dead voters, capture booths, and rig the election.

"YSRCP is making a mockery of democracy and elections. Thousands of their karyakarthas from other regions have come to Tirupati to rig elections with fake votes. These photographs which were shot today morning at PLR Function Hall demonstrate their audacity and disregard of the law and the Election Commission," Naidu said. He urged the Election Commission to take necessary measures to stop the YSRCP's "anti-social elements from breaking the law and code of conduct" during the elections.

On the other hand, panchayat raj minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy condemned TDP's false propaganda that YSRCP is indulged in casting fake votes and said they would complain to the Election Commission against the conspiracies of TDP.

Speaking to the media at Tirupati here on Saturday, the minister said TDP has been spreading false information regarding voting in fear of losing the by-poll. He expressed anger at TDP and a section of the media for stopping women travelling in buses and asking if they were going to cast fake votes.

He said some reporters entered polling booths and captured photos and videos which is against the rules. YSRCP will complain to the Election Commissioner in this regard, he added. The minister said former TDP MLA and ex-TUDA chairman have created a ruckus in front of the PLR Convention Centre.

While, BJP leader G.V.L Narasinha Rao took to Twitter on Saturday and alleged "bogus voting" by ruling YSRCP. He also alleged that the state administration and police were "mute spectators" as fake votes were being cast.