Kadapa Police Detain YSRCP Leaders as Nomination Day Begins

Police placed several YSR Congress Party leaders under house arrest across Kadapa district on Wednesday, the first day of ZPTC and MPTC nominations. MLC Ramesh Yadav was confined in Proddatur, MLA Dasari Sudha in Badvel, former MLC S. Satish Reddy at Vempalli near Pulivendula, and Kamalapuram YSRCP in‑charge Naren Reddy as a precaution. The Kadapa Zilla Parishad office was fortified with barricades and barbed wire as candidates arrived to file papers, and police used mild force when supporters from both sides tried to breach the perimeter.

Attack in Thottambedu

In the Srikalahasti constituency of Tirupati district, tension rose after a YSRCP candidate’s motorcycle was allegedly stopped and set ablaze in Thottambedu mandal. Tirupati MP M. Gurumoorthy condemned the incident and accused police of colluding with coalition leaders and workers who were present with Srikalahasti YSRCP in‑charge former MLA Biyyapu Madhusudhan Reddy and MLC Cipai Subramanyam while they supported candidates filing nominations.

Context

House arrests ahead of local elections are a common security measure in Andhra Pradesh when rival groups clash. Attacks on campaign vehicles can further inflame rivalries and lead to arrests, as seen with former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who was detained after protesting at the Tirupati Collectorate with his sons Mohith and Harshith and other candidates.