YSRCP Floor Leader in Lok Sabha P.V. Mithun Reddy, the Member of Parliament from Rajampet constituency, had his convoy attacked in Punganur in Andhra Pradesh's Annamayya district on Friday, 16 October 2025. The YSR Congress Party alleged a 'murderous attack' on the MP and squarely blamed workers of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), marking the first violent incident since the State Election Commission announced the local body election schedule on 14 October.

What Happened in Punganur

According to YSRCP, TDP workers pelted stones at vehicles in Mithun Reddy's convoy and assaulted those present with sticks and iron rods. The attack reportedly occurred as the MP accompanied YSRCP candidates and leaders travelling to file nominations for the upcoming urban local body elections. Vehicles belonging to YSRCP leaders were vandalised in the incident, the party said.

YSRCP further alleged that TDP leaders and workers physically blocked the convoy in an attempt to prevent opposition candidates from reaching the nomination filing centre. Police personnel present at the scene reportedly failed to intervene or shield the candidates from the attackers.

Clashes Between Party Workers

The violence was not one-sided in its immediate aftermath. Workers of the ruling TDP-led coalition and cadres of the main opposition YSRCP clashed in Punganur municipality, with both groups pelting stones at each other. A few workers were reported injured in the exchange. The incident triggered heightened tension across the town, prompting police to significantly bolster security to prevent further flare-ups.

Notably, this is the first incident of violence since the State Election Commission announced the local body election schedule. The process for filing nominations for urban local bodies commenced across Andhra Pradesh on Friday, making the first day of nominations the flashpoint for the clashes.

YSRCP's Demands and Allegations

YSRCP strongly condemned what it described as an attempt on the MP's life and accused the TDP government of allowing its workers to use violence to silence opposition candidates and disrupt the democratic election process. The party demanded that the State Election Commission intervene immediately and direct police to register criminal cases against those responsible, as well as take action against officers who failed to prevent the attack.

The party also called for adequate protection for candidates and their proposers, and sought arrangements to ensure all affected candidates could file their nominations safely and without obstruction.

Background and Broader Context

The TDP, which heads the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh, and YSRCP have a historically adversarial relationship, with political violence during election periods being a recurring concern in the state. The alleged targeting of an opposition MP's convoy during the first day of nominations raises questions about the enforcement capacity — and, critics argue, the political will — of the state machinery to ensure a level playing field ahead of the local body polls. The State Election Commission has yet to publicly respond to YSRCP's demands as of Friday evening.