YSRCP slams TDP’s “murder of democracy” in by-polls

Vijayawada, August 12: A YSRCP delegation, including MLCs Lella Appi Reddy and Monditoka Arun Kumar, former ministers Ambati Rambabu and Vellampalli Srinivasa Rao, former MLAs Malladi Vishnu and Hafeez Khan, Vijayawada Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi, and others, met State Election Commissioner Neelam Sawhney today, submitting a memorandum demanding immediate action against the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) blatant malpractices in the Pulivendula and Ontimitta ZPTC by-elections. 
The leaders criticised TDP cadres, backed by police, of undermining democracy by blocking voters, intimidating YSRCP agents, and enabling bogus voting by outsiders.
Since polling began at 7 AM, TDP workers and police prevented YSRCP agents and supporters from entering booths. In Pulivendula, non-local TDP activists from Jammalamadugu forcibly removed YSRCP agents, seized voter slips, and facilitated fake votes. 
YSRCP candidate Hemant Reddy was house-arrested, while TDP’s Lata Reddy moved freely. 
Voters, including women from Nallagondavaripalle, were barred, some pleading with police to vote. The delegation condemned the arrest of MP YS Avinash Reddy and house arrests of leaders like Satish Reddy and Sudheer Reddy, stating a conspiracy to rig polls targeting YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Ambati Rambabu stated, “TDP’s goons and police are murdering democracy, replacing voters with outsiders. Chandrababu Naidu’s actions will face consequences.” Vellampalli Srinivasarao added, “This is unprecedented rigging; the alliance uses money and muscle, but people will reject them.” Malladi Vishnu said, “The commission ignores our pleas while voters are denied rights.” Monditoka Arun Kumar called it “worse than Emergency,” and Hafeez Khan demanded action against complicit officials.