Tirupati MP accuses NDA of ‘coercion’ against YSRCP nominees, seeks SEC action

Venkatagiri in-charge of YSRCP Nedurumalli Ram Kumar receives notice of his house arrest at his residence in Venkatagiri town of Tirupati district. | Photo credit: By arrangement

Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has slammed the ruling NDA government for resorting to threats to YSRCP candidates in a fight to withdraw their nominations.

The MP had even complained to the State Election Commission (SEC) about a series of incidents that amounted to alleged pressure on his party candidates in Kaluvoy mandal of Venkatagiri constituency, calling it “unacceptable”.

“Local TDP MLA K. Ramakrishna openly told his cadres in a meeting held on October 19 to stop YSRCP candidates from filing nominations. I have submitted the video evidence to the SEC and asked the officials to take action,” he told the media on Thursday. The SEC, in turn, directed the Director General of Police and the Tirupati District Collector to take action, Mr. Gurumoorthy added.

Meanwhile, YSRCP Venkatagiri constituency convener Nedurumalli Ram Kumar, who was in full swing at the nomination stage, was served a house arrest notice on Thursday. The notice urged him to stay at home until the evening of October 23 (Friday).

“When a TDP MLA threatened to break the legs of YSRCP candidates, why are you restricting me in my house?” asked Mr. Ram Kumar seeking an explanation.

The announcement came as he planned to accompany eight candidates filing their nominations for MPTC posts in Venkatagiri mandal.

Meanwhile, Joint Collector R. Govinda Rao inspected the nomination process for MPTC elections in Venkatagiri and Balayapalle mandals. He inspected the condition of ballot boxes and the storage mechanism adopted at the centres.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 21:36 IST