TDP behind kidnap, violence in Tiruvuru civic poll 

Vijayawada, May 19: YSRCP has lodged a formal complaint with State Election Commissioner Neelam Sawhney, stating that the ruling TDP orchestrated violence, kidnapping, and gross misuse of power during the Tiruvuru Municipal Chairman election. 
A YSRCP delegation, comprising former Minister Vellampalli Srinivas, MLC M. Arun Kumar, former MLA Malladi Vishnu, and NTR District YSRCP President Devineni Avinash, met the Commissioner in Vijayawada to demand immediate action against TDP leaders and complicit police officials. 
They submitted video evidence of TDP-led attacks and appealed for stringent measures to ensure a fair and transparent election process.
A councillor from the YSRCP party was kidnapped to manipulate the election outcome, with police officials, including Tiruvuru DSP Prasad Rao, CI Giribabu, and SI, actively aiding TDP’s unlawful actions. 
“The police behaved like TDP workers, enabling violence and obstructing our councillors’ right to vote,” said MLC Arun Kumar. He highlighted the dire state of democracy, where elected representatives are denied their voting rights, urging the imposition of Section 144 around the election hall and CCTV surveillance to prevent further disruptions. 
Former Minister Srinivas condemned the TDP’s “goonda raj,” stating that DSP Prasad Rao forcibly removed a YSRCP councillor’s scarf and facilitated her abduction, supported by CCTV footage submitted to the SEC.
Former MLA Malladi Vishnu decried the “murder of democracy” as the TDP MLA Kolikapudi Srinivas led a mob that attacked YSRCP councillors with slippers and water bottles. “The police stood by as spectators, while the collector ignored our pleas for intervention,” he stated, announcing plans to approach the judiciary and human rights bodies. Devineni Avinash criticised the police for acting as TDP’s “foot soldiers,” noting their failure to enforce Section 144 despite TDP leaders assembling in large groups. 
The YSRCP demanded the suspension of erring officials, robust security for their councillors, and a peaceful election environment.