Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy, YSRCP leaders detained during Andhra MPTC-ZPTC nominations
Synopsis
On the second day of MPTC-ZPTC nomination filing in Andhra Pradesh, police detained Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy, a former Deputy CM, and an MLC, while YSRCP alleged coordinated violence by TDP workers across multiple districts. The Opposition's charge — that police acted against them while standing aside as ruling-party cadres obstructed democracy — puts the Election Commission and the state government in the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Avinash Reddy was detained by police in Kadapa on 22 October while attempting to assist YSRCP candidates file nominations for MPTC-ZPTC elections.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha and MLC Ramachandra Reddy were among other senior YSRCP leaders detained on the same day.
Three YSRCP leaders were reportedly injured in violence in Nizampatnam , Bapatla district , where TDP cadres allegedly tore nomination papers and damaged a candidate's vehicle.
Detentions and house arrests were reported across Anantapur , Palnadu , Kuppam , and Macherla , covering a wide swathe of the state.
YSRCP alleged police acted to prevent its leaders from participating in the democratic nomination process while remaining inactive against alleged TDP violence.
Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, former Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha, and MLC Ramachandra Reddy were among several YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders detained across Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, 22 October, as the state witnessed a second day of turbulence during the filing of nominations for MPTC and ZPTC elections. The Opposition party alleged widespread violence, intimidation, and targeted police action against its candidates and workers.
Avinash Reddy's Detention in Kadapa
Police surrounded the residence of Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy in Pulivendula early Thursday morning, attempting to place him under house arrest as he prepared to assist YSRCP candidates with the nomination process. When he later reached the YSRCP office in Kadapa, police encircled the premises and forcibly detained him along with senior leader Ravindranath Reddy.
Avinash Reddy was subsequently moved towards Pulivendula, while Ravindranath Reddy, former Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha, and MLC Ramachandra Reddy were reportedly taken towards Ontimitta. Tension prevailed at the party office as YSRCP workers attempted to resist the arrests.
Speaking against the police action, Avinash Reddy alleged that police were themselves 'forcibly taking away YSRCP candidates to prevent them from filing nominations' and that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) cadres were 'attacking Opposition candidates with stones and sticks, while police were supporting the attackers.' He questioned whether election rules applied only to YSRCP and not to TDP leaders.
Detentions Across Multiple Districts
In Anantapur district, former MLA Kethireddy Pedda Reddy was placed under house arrest at Thimmapalli in Tadimarri mandal, reportedly while preparing to accompany party candidates to file nominations after TDP workers allegedly obstructed the process in Yellanur. Former Minister Sake Sailajanath was placed under house arrest in Singanamala, and former MLA Y. Venkatarami Reddy was similarly confined in Anantapur and served police notices.
In Palnadu district, several YSRCP leaders were detained in Pedakurapadu, with police allegedly taking away MPTC candidate Bachcha by force. Former MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy was placed under house arrest in Macherla, with iron fencing and barricades reportedly erected around his residence. In the Kuppam constituency, YSRCP leader Dandapani of Santhipuram was detained without his family being informed of his whereabouts, the party alleged.
Violence Reported in Bapatla District
In Bapatla district, violence broke out in Nizampatnam in the Repalle constituency, where TDP cadres allegedly tore the nomination papers of YSRCP candidates, damaged a vehicle belonging to a party candidate, and attacked YSRCP leaders, leaving three persons injured. YSRCP alleged the attacks were carried out at the instigation of Minister Anagani Satya Prasad and expressed anger over the police's failure to act.
YSRCP's Allegations and Demands
YSRCP alleged that police arrested or placed under house arrest several senior leaders since early morning, while remaining 'silent' as TDP workers allegedly attacked Opposition nominees and obstructed the filing process. The party demanded that authorities disclose the whereabouts of detained leaders, explain the legal basis for their detention, and take action against those responsible for the violence. This comes amid a broader political confrontation in Andhra Pradesh between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the YSRCP, which was voted out in the June 2024 state assembly elections.
The Election Commission's conduct oversight during nomination periods will come under scrutiny as YSRCP prepares to escalate its complaints. How authorities respond in the coming days will set the tone for the rest of the local body election cycle.
Point of View
It points to a systematic use of police machinery to shape local body election outcomes, a pattern with deep precedent in Andhra Pradesh politics regardless of which party is in power. The absence of any on-record government or police response in available reports is itself telling. The Election Commission's credibility in administering these elections will hinge on whether it takes cognisance of the complaints swiftly and visibly.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were YSRCP leaders detained during the MPTC-ZPTC nominations in Andhra Pradesh?
Police detained several YSRCP leaders, including Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy, reportedly to prevent them from accompanying party candidates during the filing of MPTC and ZPTC nominations on 22 October. YSRCP alleged the detentions were politically motivated and that police acted against the Opposition while remaining inactive against alleged TDP-linked violence.
What is MPTC and ZPTC in Andhra Pradesh?
MPTC stands for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency and ZPTC for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency — elected positions that form the backbone of local rural governance in Andhra Pradesh. Elections to these bodies determine control of district and mandal-level governing councils across the state.
What did Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy allege about the police action?
Avinash Reddy alleged that police were forcibly removing YSRCP candidates to stop them from filing nominations and that TDP cadres were physically attacking Opposition candidates with stones and sticks while police looked on. He questioned why election restrictions appeared to apply only to YSRCP and not to TDP leaders.
Where did violence break out during the Andhra MPTC-ZPTC nominations?
Violence was reported in Nizampatnam in the Repalle constituency of Bapatla district, where TDP cadres allegedly tore YSRCP nomination papers, damaged a candidate's vehicle, and injured three party leaders. YSRCP alleged the attacks were carried out at the instigation of Minister Anagani Satya Prasad.
Which other YSRCP leaders were placed under house arrest?
Former Minister Sake Sailajanath was placed under house arrest in Singanamala, former MLA Kethireddy Pedda Reddy in Tadimarri mandal, former MLA Y. Venkatarami Reddy in Anantapur, and former MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy in Macherla, where barricades were erected around his residence.
