Published Oct 16, 2026 | 1:04 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2026 | 1:06 PM
YSRCP leaders' vehicles were attacked with stones and sticks, vandalizing and setting them on fire.
Synopsis: Following this incident, the YSRCP approached the High Court, while, TDP activists staged a protest alleging that Midhun Reddy was responsible for the riots in Punganur. Punganur TDP observer and SAAP Chairman Ravi Naidu, along with other leaders, staged an agitation demanding the MP’s arrest.
Severe tensions erupted on the day, Friday, 16 October, the nomination process for Andhra Pradesh local body election began.
Clashes broke out in Punganur of Annamayya district when TDP factions confronted YSRCP cadres who were on their way to the nomination center at Basavaraja Government Junior College, leading to mutual attacks.
The TDP members also attacked the vehicles of YSRCP leaders, including the MP Midhun Reddy’s convoy with stones and sticks, vandalizing and setting them on fire.
Suspecting that attempts would be made to stop YSRCP candidates from filing nominations in Punganur, MP Midhun Reddy accompanied the candidates, followed by a large number of YSRCP activists marching in a rally toward the nomination center.
Amidst this chaos, Midhun Reddy, who entered the nomination center under police security, remained inside for over an hour. When rivals attempted to attack MP Midhun Reddy, his gunman fired shots into the air.
Midhun Reddy’s gunman injured. (Supplied)
Both groups then attacked each other with stones and sticks, leaving several people, including Midhun Reddy’s gunman injured. As police were not present at the time, the rampage continued for an hour.
Upon receiving information about the attacks, police reached the nomination center and dispersed both groups. Former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy alleged that the clashes in Punganur were taking place at the behest of Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh.
Following this incident, the YSRCP approached the High Court, while, TDP activists staged a protest alleging that Midhun Reddy was responsible for the riots in Punganur. Punganur TDP observer and SAAP Chairman Ravi Naidu, along with other leaders, staged an agitation demanding the MP’s arrest.
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The YSRCP had already approached the High Court seeking the deployment of central forces for the local body elections.
In the wake of the latest incident, they moved the High Court once again, alleging that YSRCP cadres were being prevented from filing nominations, and also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over the Punganur incidents.
The YSRCP accuses the police of failing to provide security during nominations and ignoring their requests for paramilitary forces, alleging that kidnappings and atrocities are being committed on the very first day of nominations.
Also Read: CBI court to hold daily hearings in DA cases against Jagan Mohan Reddy
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
