Violence erupted across Andhra Pradesh's Annamayya district on Friday, 16 September, as several vehicles were set ablaze near the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) office in Rayachoti town, and the convoy of YSRCP MP P.V. Mithun Reddy was attacked in Punganur — both incidents coinciding with the first day of nomination filing for local body elections. The YSRCP has squarely blamed the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for orchestrating the violence.

What Happened in Punganur

P.V. Mithun Reddy, the YSRCP's floor leader in the Lok Sabha and Rajampet MP, was reportedly accompanying party candidates and leaders to the nomination centre when his convoy was intercepted. According to the YSRCP, a mob allegedly affiliated with the TDP pelted vehicles in the convoy with stones and attacked them with sticks and iron rods, damaging and overturning several vehicles.

Mithun Reddy subsequently entered the nomination centre, where he was seen with blood on his shirt, indicating injuries sustained during the attack. As TDP workers allegedly barged into the centre, police escorted the MP to a separate room. Security personnel had difficulty containing the situation as the attackers reportedly attempted to force their way in. The MP's security guards also sustained injuries in the melee.

Arson Near YSRCP Office in Rayachoti

The violence spread to Rayachoti town, where cars parked near the YSRCP office were torched. Workers of both parties clashed as tensions ran high on nomination day. The YSRCP alleged that the arson was a direct consequence of the TDP's effort to intimidate opposition candidates and disrupt the election process. Vehicles belonging to YSRCP leaders were also reportedly vandalised at multiple locations.

YSRCP Allegations and Demands

The YSRCP described the attack on Mithun Reddy's convoy as an 'attempt on the MP's life' and accused the TDP government of allowing its workers to use violence to silence the opposition. The party alleged that police personnel present at the scene failed to intervene and protect YSRCP candidates.

In a formal statement, the YSRCP demanded that the State Election Commission intervene immediately, direct police to register criminal cases, arrest those responsible, and take action against officers who failed to prevent the incidents. The party also sought protection for candidates and their proposers, and called for safe nomination filing arrangements for all affected candidates.

Family's Response and Political Fallout

Mithun Reddy's father, former minister P. Ramchandra Reddy, held the TDP government directly responsible for the attack. He stated that if his son was not brought back safely, the government and police would be held accountable. The incident has deepened tensions ahead of the local body elections and raised questions about law enforcement's capacity to maintain order during the nomination process.

Notably, violence on nomination days is not uncommon in Andhra Pradesh's fiercely competitive local body polls, but an attack on a sitting Lok Sabha MP's convoy marks a significant escalation. With nominations still underway, all eyes are on whether the State Election Commission will step in to ensure a level playing field.