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Political rivalry erupts in Kuppam, several injured in clash
In Short
The trouble broke out near Ambika Kalyana Mandapam and Palace Circle, close to the Kuppam municipal office, where leaders and supporters of both parties had gathered during the scrutiny of nominations for the municipal elections.
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MLC K Srikanth speaking to the media in Kuppam on Monday
Tirupati: Political rivalry between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) came to the fore in Kuppam on Monday, as a clash between their cadres during nomination scrutiny left several people injured and prompted police intervention.
The trouble broke out near Ambika Kalyana Mandapam and Palace Circle, close to the Kuppam municipal office, where leaders and supporters of both parties had gathered during the scrutiny of nominations for the municipal elections. An argument between the two groups escalated into a scuffle, forcing police to resort to a lathi charge to disperse them.
Among those injured were TDP leaders TM Babu Naidu, a former Gudupalle mandal president, Nagabhushanam and Zakir, a minority leader. They were shifted by ambulance to the Kuppam Government Area Hospital. According to party sources, around six TD leaders were receiving treatment.
TDP leaders alleged that YSRC supporters had arrived in large numbers and attacked their party workers.
They further claimed that some people from the Krishnagiri region of Tamil Nadu had been brought to Kuppam and that the attackers had used sticks and iron rods. These allegations were yet to be officially verified.
YSRCP leaders, however, accused TDP workers of attacking their party members. They also alleged that YSRCP chairman candidate Vijay Kumar had been kidnapped and that TDP workers had surrounded the residence of MLC KRJ Bharath. Vijay Kumar later denied the kidnapping allegation in a video posted on social media.
He said he had gone out for personal work and would return to Kuppam shortly. The rival parties continued to trade allegations over the incident. MLC Kancharla Srikanth, APSRTC vice chairman PS Muniratnam and other TDP leaders visited the injured party workers at the hospital. Party sources said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who represents Kuppam, was expected to speak to the injured leaders. Police deployed additional personnel near the municipal office and nomination scrutiny centre to prevent further violence and ensure that the election process continued without disruption.
Meanwhile, following scrutiny of the nomination papers, a total of nine nominations for the chairperson post were found valid, including three from the TDP, four from the YSRCP, and one each from the INC and BSP. Similarly, of the 184 valid nominations for ward member posts, 79 were filed by TDP candidates, followed by 73 from the YSRCP, 18 Independents, 12 from the Jana Sena Party, and two from the BJP.
