Pulivendula, Ontimitta polls a dark day for democracy: YSRCP

Tadepalli, August 13: YSRCP Ontimitta ZPTC candidate Iragam Reddy Subba Reddy condemned the Pulivendula and Ontimitta by-polls as a “mockery of democracy,” citing a large-scale rigging by Minister Ramprasad Reddy. Addressing the media in Tadepalli, he said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu deployed seven ministers to capture a single seat, with Ramprasad Reddy leading 300 goons across 17 booths, assaulting YSRCP agents, evicting them, and even making ballot boxes disappear.
Despite repeated complaints, the Joint Collector and SP failed to act. From nomination day, Ministers BC Janardhan Reddy, Savita, and Ramprasad Reddy ran intimidation campaigns, while police themselves removed YSRCP agents from booths. Two days before polling, the homes of 50 YSRCP workers were attacked.
Citing incidents at Chinnakottapalli and Mantapampalli, Subba Reddy said the Minister violated the election code, rigged with police support, and obstructed YSRCP vehicles. Calling August 12 a “dark day,” he announced a boycott of re-polling and counting.
“This election marks the beginning of the Minister’s downfall. The people have seen everything and will deliver justice,” he declared, vowing that TDP’s misuse of power will not be forgotten.