Appi Reddy targeted for questioning the ballot box incident

Tadepalli, Nov 9: YSRCP SC Cell State President and former MLA T.J.R. Sudhakar Babu accused the TDP of spreading false claims about senior YSRCP leader and MLC Lella Appi Reddy after his arrest. He said a polling officer had admitted that getting off the bus with a ballot box was a mistake, yet Appi Reddy was being portrayed as a criminal for questioning the incident.

Sudhakar Babu said the officer’s video statement was evidence and challenged TDP leaders to prove it false. He asked why a ballot box containing votes was taken onto the road without police protection. He dismissed claims that the officer had changed buses due to lack of space, saying the explanation raised further questions. He demanded a full inquiry and an explanation from the Election Commission.

He said it was unjust to file cases against Appi Reddy for asking why the officer got off the bus and for seeking fairness for his party’s candidate. He also cited election affidavits and an ADR report, saying 22 of 23 ministers had declared criminal cases and 13 faced serious cases. He challenged TDP leaders to answer the allegations instead of attacking Appi Reddy.

Referring to attacks on Dalits in Prakasam district and alleged obstruction of polling agents, Sudhakar Babu said the government must answer for election irregularities. YSRCP would continue to defend voters’ rights and democracy, he said.