Controversy mars Punganur municipal election after TDP’s uncontested sweep

The municipal election in Punganur of Annamayya district has turned into a high-octane political slugfest. The ruling Telugu Desam Party-led alliance has practically gained control of the local body after sweeping 32 of the 36 wards without a single contest, besides grabbing the Chairperson seat uncontested in favour of Nayeem Tej.

While the writing is already on the wall for the municipality’s leadership, the real battle is now playing out over how things got here. Voters in the remaining four wards (9, 11, 28, and 35) will cast their votes on November 1, but the shadow of controversy hangs heavy over the entire exercise.

The friction erupted on October 16 outside the nomination centre in Punganur. What began as high political confrontation quickly boiled over into a street clash between rival TDP and YSRCP supporters, leaving a dozen vehicles reportedly smashed or torched and multiple party workers and police personnel injured.

Former Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy and his son, Rajampeta MP P.V. Midhun Reddy, who was also reportedly injured in the melee, alleged that due to chaotic scenes, the YSRCP candidates had to pull out without filing nominations.

The opposition leaders resorted to wild allegations claiming their candidates were physically blocked from entering and submitting paperwork, effectively elbowing them out of the democratic race. The ruling alliance rejected the allegations completely, while election officials pointed fingers at unruly crowds.

Refusing to back down, Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy dragged the matter to court, insisting his camp was robbed of an opportunity to contest the elections.

The dispute eventually caught the eye of the Supreme Court, which directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to review the obstruction complaints and weigh reopening nominations wherever candidates were not able to file. Although a fresh nominations facility was opened for Kadapa, Rajampet, Mydukur, and Tirupati, Punganur missed out on the list.

Back in the 2021 municipal elections, YSRCP pulled off a clean sweep by winning all 31 wards in Punganur. The ward count jumped to 36 in the recent district reorganisation.