2 killed as TDP, YSRC cadre clash in Andhra

VIJAYWADA: Violence broke out during elections in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday as clashes between TDP and rival YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) left two persons dead and scores wounded.
The acrimonious electoral battle between chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP leader Jaganmohan Reddy, as the state held simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls, was marred by allegations of rigging, kidnapping of a candidate, damages to electronic voting machines (EVMs) and violations of the model code of conduct.

YSRCP activist Venkataramanappa was killed during a political clash at T Sadum village in Thamballapalle assembly constituency in Chittoor district. In another clash, TDP worker Chinta Bhaskar Reddy died as activists of the two parties attacked each other with sticks and stones at Veerapuram village in Anantapur district. YSRCP worker Pulla Reddy received severe head injuries and his condition is said to be critical. Bhaskar is a follower of TDP MP JC Diwakar Reddy.

At Puthalapattu assembly constituency in Chittoor, YSRCP’s candidate MS Babu was allegedly kidnapped by TDP workers. He was taken to an orchard and beaten up. Babu, however, managed to escape. He was later rushed to hospital by police. The Election Commission said 20 incidents of violence were reported across the state.

EVMs damaged

In Guntakal assembly segment in Anantapur district, Jana Sena candidate K Madhusudan Gupta threw an EVM on the ground damaging it.

At Narasaraopet in Guntur district, an EVM was damaged in a clash between YSRCP and TDP workers. News agency IANS reported another five incidents of EVMs being damaged in Arunachal Pradesh, two in Manipur, and one each in Bihar and West Bengal.