MLC Lella Appireddy has strongly condemned the violent incidents surrounding the Tirupati Corporation By-elections and demanded their postponement. He stated that elections should not be conducted in an atmosphere of unrest and accused the TDP of making a mockery of the electoral process through attacks and violent activities.
He revealed that the YSRCP had already lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission (SEC) regarding the deteriorating law and order situation. The party also requested an increase in police forces to ensure the safety of YSRCP corporators, but no action was taken.
He questioned how hundreds of TDP activists could take to the streets despite the imposition of Section 144 and why the police failed to control them.
MLC Appireddy criticized the deteriorating governance in Andhra Pradesh and accused the TDP of shamelessly luring and coercing YSRCP-elected corporators and councilors. He alleged that TDP was employing a three-pronged strategy – inducements, threats, and violent attacks, to achieve its objectives.
He condemned the attacks on YSRCP corporators in Tirupati, including the vandalism of a bus carrying party members. He expressed outrage over the attempted assault on BC community Mayor Sirisha and pointed out that women corporators were also present in the attacked bus. Furthermore, he mentioned an attempt to assault SC MP Gurumoorthy.
Appireddy emphasized that the party had already complained to the EC about the opposition’s unlawful activities and had stated that the police could not be trusted in the current scenario. In light of these attacks, YSRCP would once again approach the EC to highlight the law and order failure.
He accused the TDP of tarnishing the reputation of Tirupati, citing past incidents such as the Laddu controversy and the attack on Amit Shah. He argued that such actions have damaged the city’s global reputation.
