Petrol bombs, clashes hit Andhra Pradesh ZPTC, MPTC polling; TDP and YSRCP trade blame
Synopsis
Petrol bombs were hurled near polling centres in YSR Kadapa and Tirupati districts during Andhra Pradesh's ZPTC and MPTC elections, with TDP and YSRCP exchanging blame. The worst incident occurred in Pulivendula — Jagan Mohan Reddy's home bastion — adding a sharp political edge to what are ostensibly local body polls. With 2.61 crore voters and 8,349 seats at stake, the violence signals how intensely both parties are contesting ground-level power after the 2024 state election upheaval.
Key Takeaways
Petrol bombs were hurled near polling stations in Errampalli village (YSR Kadapa) and Nallapureddypalle village (Tirupati) on 5 November 2026 .
No casualties were reported; additional police were deployed at affected centres.
TDP and YSRCP blamed each other for instigating the violence.
Clashes also broke out in Chilakalapalli (Parvathipuram Manyam) and Vizianagaram districts.
Polling covers 582 ZPTC and 7,767 MPTC seats across 31,460 polling centres , with 2.61 crore eligible voters.
The State Election Commission recorded 21.12% turnout by 11 am .
Tension erupted at multiple locations across Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, 5 November 2026, as polling got underway for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) elections, with petrol bomb attacks and clashes reported from YSR Kadapa and Tirupati districts. Political rivals Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) swiftly blamed each other for the violence.
Petrol Bombs in Pulivendula Stronghold
The most significant incident occurred at Errampalli village in the Pulivendula constituency of YSR Kadapa district — widely regarded as the political bastion of YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. According to reports, police prevented a group of YSRCP workers from entering a polling booth amid rising tensions, after which unidentified persons hurled petrol bombs near the polling centre, triggering panic among voters and residents. No casualties were reported. Additional police personnel were deployed to prevent further escalation.
Violence Spreads to Tirupati and Other Districts
A similar incident was reported from Nallapureddypalle village in Penagaluru mandal of Tirupati district, where YSRCP leaders alleged that supporters of the TDP-led NDA attacked their polling agents using petrol bombs. Tensions also flared in Nanduluru in YSR Kadapa district after police intercepted vehicles reportedly ferrying outsiders into the area.
Separately, clashes between TDP and YSRCP supporters broke out in Chilakalapalli in Parvathipuram Manyam district, while YSRCP and Jana Sena Party workers reportedly came to blows near a polling centre in Vizianagaram district. Police intervened in both incidents to restore order.
Scale of the Elections
Polling is being conducted across 31,460 polling centres for 582 ZPTC seats and 7,767 MPTC seats statewide. An estimated 2.61 crore voters are eligible to participate, with polling running from 7 am to 5 pm. The State Election Commission (SEC) recorded 21.12% voter turnout by 11 am, suggesting moderate early participation despite the disruptions.
Security Response and Broader Context
This comes amid a heightened political rivalry between the ruling TDP-led alliance and the YSRCP, which governed the state until mid-2024. Local body elections have historically been flashpoints for inter-party violence in Andhra Pradesh, and Thursday's incidents follow a pattern seen in previous panchayat and zilla parishad polls. Notably, the unrest in Pulivendula — Jagan Mohan Reddy's home constituency — carries particular symbolic weight for both sides. Authorities have not yet named any suspects in connection with the petrol bomb incidents, and investigations are reportedly ongoing.
Point of View
And the violence here is partly a consequence of that winner-takes-all political culture neither party has dismantled. The SEC's decision not to cancel polling at affected booths will face scrutiny; the more important question is whether any credible action follows against identifiable perpetrators, or whether, as has happened in previous cycles, the FIRs pile up and no one of consequence is held to account.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Andhra Pradesh ZPTC and MPTC elections on 5 November 2026?
Petrol bombs were hurled near polling stations in YSR Kadapa and Tirupati districts, and clashes broke out between TDP and YSRCP supporters in multiple locations. No casualties were reported, and police deployed additional personnel to restore order.
Where exactly did the petrol bomb attacks occur?
The main incident took place at Errampalli village in the Pulivendula constituency of YSR Kadapa district. A second incident was reported from Nallapureddypalle village in Penagaluru mandal of Tirupati district, where YSRCP alleged TDP-NDA supporters attacked their polling agents.
How many seats and voters are involved in these local body elections?
Polling is being held for 582 ZPTC seats and 7,767 MPTC seats across 31,460 polling centres. An estimated 2.61 crore voters are eligible, with polling scheduled from 7 am to 5 pm.
What was the voter turnout reported by mid-morning?
The State Election Commission recorded 21.12% voter turnout by 11 am, indicating moderate early participation despite the reported violence at several locations.
Why is the Pulivendula incident particularly significant?
Pulivendula is the home constituency of YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, making it a high-profile symbolic battleground. Violence there draws extra scrutiny given its association with the former ruling party's stronghold.
