65 per cent polling in Kakinada local elections in Andhra Pradesh

While the TDP is contesting 39 of the 48 wards, YSRC is contesting all 48. BJP which has an alliance with TDP is contesting 9 seats.
Kakinada municipal polls underway. (EPS)
Kakinada municipal polls underway. (EPS)

KAKINADA: About 65 per cent polling was reported in the elections to the Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) today.     

Barring stray incidents of violence in a couple of wards, the polling process ended smoothly under the direct supervision of north coastal zone IG Kumar Viswajeet.     

In one division, YSR Congress workers had a face-off with BJP men and they allegedly tried to attack BJP MLC Somu Veerraju, an official said.     

Police resorted to cane charge and dispersed the mob, a deputy superintendent of police said over phone.   

Viswajeet rushed to the scene and ensured the situation did not escalate.     

In another division, TDP and YSRC workers clashed but police immediately intervened and brought the situation under control.     

Kakinada, a Smart City under the Smart Cities Mission, went to polls after a gap of seven years.     

Of the total 50 divisions in the KMC, polls were conducted in 48 only while the remaining were stayed by a court order.     

The TDP contested 39 divisions leaving nine to its alliance partner BJP.     

However, both parties faced trouble from rebel candidates in most of the civic divisions.     

The YSRC contested from all the 48 divisions but faced rebel trouble in at least half of them.     

In all 241 candidates were in the fray.     

Counting of votes will be taken up on September 1

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