Political friction and violence overshadowed the opening day of the nomination process for the upcoming urban local body elections across Andhra Pradesh. Returning officers issued official notifications across 100 urban local bodies in the state, setting off the race for the polls scheduled for October 28. However, the initial phase quickly turned turbulent as rival political factions clashed openly.
Clashes and Arson in Annamayya District
The situation escalated sharply in Annamayya district, where workers belonging to the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party engaged in a violent confrontation. The disturbance erupted as YSRCP floor leader in Parliament P.V. Mithun Reddy was en route to Punganur alongside party candidates to file their nomination papers. According to allegations, TDP supporters intercepted and attacked the convoy. The altercation left security guards assigned to the MP injured, alongside multiple workers from both political camps. In a separate incident within the same district near the YSRसीपी office in Rayachoti, several vehicles were allegedly torched by opposing party workers. Both political formations have traded blame for the outbreak of violence, with the YSRCP claiming an attempt on the life of Mithun Reddy.
Amidst the escalating political heat, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has also rolled out reservation strategies in the lead-up to these grassroots electoral battles, further intensifying the discourse.
Comprehensive Schedule for Urban and Rural Polls
The State Election Commission previously issued notifications on October 14 for 100 out of the 123 total urban local bodies in the state, encompassing 13 municipal corporations and 87 municipalities or nagar panchayats. The remaining 23 urban local bodies, consisting of four municipal corporations and 19 municipalities or panchayats, await notification while preparatory procedures continue. Candidates have until October 18 to submit their nomination papers. Scrutiny of these filings is scheduled for October 19, and candidates may withdraw their names through October 21. Polling for these urban bodies will take place on October 28, with re-polling slated for October 29 if necessary, and vote counting concluding on October 30.
Extended Electoral Calendar for MPTC, ZPTC, and Panchayats
Beyond urban elections, the election authority announced that polls for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies will be held on November 3. Notifications for these rural segments will be released on October 19, permitting nominations up to October 23. Scrutiny will follow the next day, and October 27 marks the final withdrawal deadline, with results slated for publication on November 5. Furthermore, village panchayat elections will proceed across three distinct phases on November 26, November 29, and December 2, with vote counting immediately following each phase. To streamline oversight, the State Election Commission has established a dedicated control room at its headquarters to field complaints and grievances related to the election process.
