BJP candidate P Suresh wrote a letter to the Returning Officer in the by-election of Badvel (SC) assembly constituency, demanding re-polling in 12 polling stations in Atlur mandal, seven in Gopavaram, five in Badvel rural and four in B. Kodur alleged that YSRCP leaders in connivance with polling personnel rigged and committed other irregularities. He said the police and YSRCP supporters had threatened BJP agents of dire consequences, making the election a joke.
Suresh alleged that despite the request of BJP agents that the election staff should ensure the conduct of polling in a democratic manner, they did nothing due to the influence of the ruling party.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Somu Veeraraju complained to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) that the police remained a mute spectator despite a large number of fake voters standing at the booths. People from other villages were brought to cast their votes in violation of norms and booths were captured at many places. He said that these blatant irregularities require prompt action by the CEC.
‘Police helped in rigging’
Staff Reporter from Cuddapah Adds: BJP state general secretary S Vishnuvardhan Reddy alleged that YSRCP leaders in Cuddapah district “re-enforced the rigging of the Badvel bypoll in connivance with police personnel”.
He told the media that it was unfortunate that there was not much difference between the YSRCP workers and the police personnel on election duty as they continued to cooperate with each other in rigging several booths. He said that many outsiders were brought to Badwell to rig the elections.
He objected to the free movement of former MLA Govinda Reddy in all the mandals of the constituency. Mr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy said that despite the BJP’s demand to place Mr. Govinda Reddy under house arrest, the police did nothing in this regard.
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