Chilakaluripet, October 2026 : Former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Vidadala Rajini was allegedly pushed to the ground by a woman police officer at her residence in Chilakaluripet, Palnadu district, on Friday, triggering a political controversy during the ongoing local body election nomination process.
The YSRCP alleged that Chilakaluripet Rural Sub-Inspector Priyanka pushed Rajini during a confrontation over restrictions on party candidates entering the former minister's residence. The opposition party condemned the alleged incident and demanded an independent investigation by the State Election Commission (SEC), along with action against the police personnel involved.
A video purportedly showing the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting the YSRCP to raise questions about police conduct and the treatment of opposition leaders during the nomination process for local body elections.
YSRCP Alleges House Arrest of Former Minister
According to the YSRCP, Rajini, who is the party's in-charge for the Chilakaluripet Assembly constituency, was placed under house arrest while attempting to distribute B-Forms to candidates contesting Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections.
The party alleged that Yadlapadu ZPTC candidate and Dalit leader Pandula Bullabbayi was stopped by police at the gate when he arrived to meet Rajini.
The former minister reportedly questioned the restrictions, asking why party candidates were being prevented from entering her residence to receive their nomination-related documents.
The YSRCP questioned the basis for the alleged restrictions, arguing that meeting candidates and distributing B-Forms should not invite police action. It accused the police of obstructing its election preparations and alleged that officials were acting under pressure from Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders.
These allegations have not been independently established in the information available.
The opposition party called on the State Election Commission to investigate the incident, ensure the safety of candidates and prevent any unlawful interference in the nomination process.
YSRCP Approaches State Election Commission
Separately, YSRCP leaders lodged a complaint with State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, alleging widespread violence, obstruction of nominations and electoral irregularities involving TDP workers during the local body election process.
Addressing the media outside the SEC office, YSRCP MLCs Lella Appi Reddy and Kalpalatha Reddy, along with Employees and Pensioners Wing State President Nalamaaru Chandrasekhar Reddy, sought the commission's immediate intervention.
Appi Reddy alleged that YSRCP candidates continued to face obstacles even on the final day of nominations. He claimed that opposition leaders were being placed under house arrest while candidates associated with the ruling coalition were able to access election-related facilities without similar restrictions.
He also accused police and revenue officials of failing to prevent alleged attacks on candidates and incidents involving the tearing of nomination papers. According to the YSRCP leader, some candidates who were victims of such incidents were instead facing police cases.
The allegations formed part of the party's broader complaint about the conduct of the local body election process in Andhra Pradesh.
Dispute Over Nomination Deadlines and Police Protection
Appi Reddy also questioned the response to complaints concerning affected municipalities, alleging that despite Supreme Court directions, the SEC had provided limited relief in only four of the 19 municipalities identified by the party.
He criticised the timing of police escort instructions, claiming that directions issued just 90 minutes before the nomination deadline offered little practical assistance to candidates travelling from villages.
The YSRCP demanded an extension of the nomination deadline, adequate police protection for candidates and action over alleged irregularities involving nomination papers and withdrawals.
The party also raised questions about deadlines for submitting B-Forms and called for action against what it described as fabricated nominations and withdrawals. Appi Reddy further sought cancellation of the TDP's registration, a demand made by the opposition leader amid the dispute.
The claims and demands are part of the YSRCP's allegations and have not been independently verified.
Kalpalatha Reddy Raises Concerns Over Alleged Attacks on Women
YSRCP MLC Kalpalatha Reddy condemned what she described as attacks on women during the election process. She alleged that women had faced physical assaults and incidents involving the pulling of sarees.
Reddy questioned the response of Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha and demanded effective police protection and justice for women candidates affected by the alleged incidents.
Nalamaaru Chandrasekhar Reddy also criticised officials, alleging that some had witnessed attacks without intervening. He called for immediate action against those responsible rather than assurances that, according to him, had failed to address the concerns raised by the party.
Political Tensions Escalate During Local Body Elections
The alleged incident involving Vidadala Rajini has intensified the political dispute between the YSRCP and the ruling TDP-led coalition over the conduct of local body elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The opposition party has urged the State Election Commission to examine the allegations of police misconduct, nomination obstruction and violence, while demanding safeguards for candidates exercising their democratic rights.
The controversy also places renewed focus on the role of election authorities and law enforcement agencies in ensuring that candidates can complete nomination procedures without intimidation or unlawful interference.
An independent inquiry and an official response from the authorities concerned would be necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident at Rajini's residence and assess the wider complaints raised by the YSRCP.
