Accusing that the police is harassing and attempting to arrest political opponent, Telugu Desam Party urged the intervention of Election Commission of India (ECI) to prevent the police attempts to arrest party’s former MLA and presently contesting from Vijayawada (Central) Assembly Constituency Bonda Umamaheswara Rao.
It alleged that the police are implicating his name in stone pelting on chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s case with an evil intention of benefiting the ruling party in the elections.
In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), TDP’s former Rajya Sabha member Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar mentioned the attempts to arrest TDP candidate and former MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, who filed his nomination for the Vijayawada (Central) Assembly seat.
He has expressed his concerns over the lack of transparency in the conduction of elections in Andhra Pradesh. He highlighted the alleged misuse of the police administration and targetting NDA alliance partners and further their electoral prospects.
He also highlighted an incident involving Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, where a roadshow was conducted PM in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He alleged that the police launched a reign of terror, arresting and torturing individuals to implicate political opponents.
Ravindra Kumar called on the ECI to intervene and ensure a level playing field in the elections. He requested independent reports from Special Police Observers/Election Observers or a special ECI team to examine the functioning of the police in Vijayawada. He emphasized the need for fair and transparent elections in Andhra Pradesh to prevent the electoral process from becoming a mockery of democracy.
The letter highlights the ongoing challenges faced by opposition parties in the state and raises important questions about the integrity of the electoral process. The ECI’s response to these concerns will be crucial in ensuring free and fair elections in Andhra Pradesh, he added.
Meanwhile, AP TDP Chief Atchannaidu expressed his anger that TDP leader Bonda Uma is being harassed by the police and demanded that the ECI should order an inquiry into the incident. He said they have already complained to the Governor about the harassment of TDP candidates and also will bring to the notice of the ECI and also the AP High Court. If the harassment is not stopped, he warned that those responsible will have to pay the price in the future.
