MLC elections in Kurnool and Prakasam districts witnessed arrests and huge turnout of voters despite the YSRC call to boycott the polls on Friday. There were allegations and counter-allegations on kidnaps in Nandyal.
MLA and YSRC leader Bhooma Nagi Reddy was arrested at Nandyal on charges of abusing DSP Devadanam at the polling centre at Nandyal RDO office earlier in the day following a complaint lodged by the DSP. Mr. Nagi Reddy and his daughter Bhooma Akhila Priya, who is the Allagadda MLA, had an altercation with police when the latter asked her to leave the polling centre after she had cast her vote. Ms. Akhila Priya said she did not influence any voters, and Mr. Nagi Reddy intervened and threatened to squat in protest questioning the behaviour of police.
Earlier in the day, TDP MLC candidate Silpa Chakrapani Reddy and party men lodged a complaint alleging kidnap of Bala Hussaini, MPTC member of Eernapadu in Bandiatmakur mandal, by YSRC members. Party activists lodged a complaint alleging that the MPTC member had been kidnapped by TDP members. Srisailam MLA Budda Rajasekhara Reddy, Nandikotkur MLA Aijaiah and YSRC MLC nominee D. Venkateswara Reddy alleged that TDP members had kidnapped Mr. Bala Hussaini. The TDP lacked strength in local bodies but were trying to win the seat by hook or crook, they alleged.
Meanwhile, polling for MLC (Local Authority) election was brisk, with Kurnool district recording 99.35 per cent polling. Out of a total of 1,087 voters, 1,080 cast their votes. The polling percentage recorded in the Kurnool revenue division was 99.74, Nandyal 99.67 per cent and Adoni 98.07 per cent , according to Returning Officer C. Harikiran. One voter each did not turn up in Kurnool and Nandyal divisions, and five voters did not cast vote in Adoni division. At Ongole, YSR’s poll boycott call was brushed aside, as voters cutting across party-lines cast their votes . The polling percentage was a high at 80.08 per cent in Markapur division, followed by 75.95 per cent in Kandukur division and 73.92 per cent in Ongole division. Officials said 76.10 per cent of the 992 voters cast their votes.
Women local body representatives enthusiastically participated in the election, accounting for 436 of the 755 votes polled.
YSRC call to boycott MLC polls gets lukewarm response
