YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on 19 October 2026 urged the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission (SEC) to order fresh nominations or postpone elections in 22 urban local bodies, alleging that its candidates were systematically prevented from filing nominations through violence, intimidation, and destruction of nomination papers.

What YSRCP Placed Before the Commission

A YSRCP delegation met State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha in Vijayawada and submitted video evidence — including footage stored on a pen drive — along with three written representations. The delegation was led by MLC and State General Secretary Lella Appi Reddy, accompanied by former MLA T. J. R. Sudhakar Babu, Narayana Murthy, and other senior party leaders.

According to the party's submission, YSRCP candidates managed to file nominations in only 321 of 809 wards and divisions across the 22 local bodies, leaving 488 wards without opposition nominations. Nominations for eight municipal chairpersons were also allegedly blocked.

Allegations Against TDP and Police

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Appi Reddy alleged that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers tore nomination papers of opposition candidates out of fear of electoral defeat, while police either stood by or, in some locations, directly participated in seizing papers. He cited violence continuing even during the scrutiny phase, with nomination papers torn inside scrutiny centres in Atmakur and Kanigiri. YSRCP workers were reportedly attacked in Proddatur and Kuppam.

The party also brought to the Commission's attention attacks on sitting MPs Mithun Reddy, Gurumoorthy, and Avinash Reddy. In Kuppam, chairperson candidate Vijay Kumar was allegedly abducted, with his whereabouts unknown at the time of filing. Appi Reddy demanded the SEC seek his immediate rescue and extend protection to the families of affected candidates.

Specific Incidents Cited Across Districts

The party detailed a pattern of violence spread across multiple constituencies. In Kuppam, the residence of MLC Bharath was allegedly attacked, and candidates Jayashankar and Jayanth were hospitalised with serious head injuries. In Tadipatri, the house and furniture of Kotla Shafi were damaged, candidate Mohammed Jaffar was allegedly abducted, and intimidation reportedly prevented nominations in five wards.

In Proddatur, nomination papers of Poreddy Narasimha Reddy were allegedly snatched and torn, and police reportedly lathi-charged workers, seriously injuring a supporter's eye. Scrutiny proceedings were also allegedly obstructed in Badvel. In Chittoor, TDP workers allegedly stoned the YSRCP office.

Key Demands Placed Before the SEC

YSRCP drew a direct parallel with Mydukur, where the SEC had previously postponed elections after 19 nomination papers were destroyed — and demanded the same remedy be extended uniformly to all 22 affected local bodies. The party also demanded strict compliance with High Court directions on CCTV camera deployment, police protection, and webcasting of nomination proceedings, noting that surveillance arrangements were absent at several centres despite repeated requests.

Additional demands included preservation of CCTV recordings, prosecution of TDP leaders responsible for violence, and removal of allegedly complicit officials from election duties. The party also urged the SEC to examine the BC certificates of Tirupati mayoral candidate Vasu Yadav strictly under prescribed rules, free of political pressure, and to ensure affected candidates receive a fresh opportunity before any uncontested declaration is made. The SEC is yet to issue a formal response to the representations.