AP CM Chandrababu Naidu fears violence in Nandyal

Naidu told party cadre that though YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy “uses intemperate and abusive” language, the yellow party must “not stoop that level” during its campaign.
YSRC president Y S Jajan Mohan Reddy speaking at Manchineella Bavi centre in Nandyal on Th`ress photo
YSRC president Y S Jajan Mohan Reddy speaking at Manchineella Bavi centre in Nandyal on Th`ress photo

VIJAYAWADA/NANDYAL : Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday warned of violence in Nandyal and said he had “specific information” that the YSRC would resort to mischief in a bid to get the forthcoming bypoll countermanded. “The YSRC is afraid of losing the election, and so it does not want the poll to take place. It is instigating people to create trouble,” the Chief Minister claimed during a TDP coordination committee meeting and added that the YSRC was trying to foment unrest using caste, religion and regionalism as weapons. 

Naidu reportedly told party cadre that though YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy “uses intemperate and abusive” language, the yellow party must “not stoop that level” during its campaign ahead of the byelection to the Nandyal Assembly seat. “You have to act with restraint. Jagan Mohan Reddy is trying to provoke activists and people,” he said. 

Meanwhile, actor and Hindupur MLA Balakrishna has been caught on camera handing out money to voters during his campaign in Venkateswarapuram in Nandyal, even as Tourism Minister Akhila Priya canvassed for her cousin and party nominee Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy. Nandyal byelection Returning Officer and District Joint Collector V Prasanna Venkatesh said he had received a complaint from a poll observer that Balakrishna had distributed money to voters. He said the allegation would be examined and referred to the Election Commission for instructions on the course of action to be taken.  When contacted, Information and Public Relations Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu, who is camping in Nandyal, said several people were floating rumours to vilify the TDP. 

“Why should Balakrishna distribute money? Wherever he goes, he has fan-following. They always try to mob him. The same thing happened there too,” he said, exuding confidence that the TDP would win the poll with a comfortable margin. “I willl be able to make a reasonable guess on the size of the margin after two or three days,” he said.TDP district president Somisetty Venkateswarlu denied that the actor distributed money to voters. “He gave some money to a disabled fan of his. He told his fan to have a good meal at a nearby restaurant,” Somisetty stated.  

While this is so, the YSRC slammed the TDP on Balakrishna’s alleged attempt to bribe voters. “It is very shameful that the ruling party is trying to purchase votes,” YSRC district unit convener Gouru Venkatareddy said. “We will take this to the notice of the Election Commission,” he added. The day continued to be unfavourable for the actor despite his lengthy campaign. 

Gangula Pratap Reddy joins TDP 

Vijayawada: After meeting Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday, former MP Gangula Pratap Reddy met the chief minister once again on Thursday at the venue of a function here where Naidu admitted him into the party formally. Naidu is reported to have promised Pratap Reddy that he would give him good recognition in the party apart from ensuring a bright political future. He was asked to help the TDP in Nandyal campaign. Pratap Reddy is interested in contesting for Lok Sabha from Nandyal in 2019.

The announcement that Gangula has joined the TDP would be made by Naidu when he visits Nandyal on August 19 where he would introduce Gangula as TDP leader. Gangula Pratap Reddy is brother of Gangula Prabhakar Reddy who joined the YSRC in February after Chandrababu Naidu admitted the then Nandyal MLA Bhuma Nagireddy and his MLA daughter Akhila Priya into the Telugu Desam Party since both the families do not see eye to eye. Reacting to admission of Gangula into the TDP, Tourism Minister Akhila Praya said the development is not going to create any problem to her. Speaking to media-persons in Nandyal on Thursday, he said if any problem arises in future in adjusting with him, Chandababu Naidu is there to sort it out. “At present, my focus is on ensuring the victory of my cousin Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy in the by-election,” she said.

Congress chief slams Election Commission,  demands cancellation of bypoll 
 Vijayawada:
Accusing the Election Commission of remaining as mute spectator even as election code is being violated blatantly in Nandyal Assembly constituency, APCC chief N Raghuveera Reddy on Thursday demanded cancellation of the by-election.  Speaking to reporters in Vijayawada, the Congress leader said that both ruling and opposition parties are making a mockery of the election rules and regulations by indulging in money distribution like never before.  He said contrary to the cap on election expenditure of `28 lakh per candidate, both ruling TDP and Opposition YSRC are spending several crores to bag the seat. “They are resorting to unethical practices.

Chief Minister is visiting the constituency quite frequently while more than half of his cabinet colleagues are camping in Nandyal to woo the voters. On the other hand, Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is camping in Nandyal for more than 10 days now,” he said.  Raghuveera Reddy criticised the State for focusing only on Nandyal by-elections. “There are several issues in the state that need immediate attention of the state administration but they seem to be least bothered about it,” he observed.  

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