In a shocking video, an incident at a polling booth in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district has stirred outrage as a video went viral showing Tenali’s YSR Congress Party MLA A Sivakumar slapping a voter. The altercation reportedly began after the voter objected to the YSRCP MLA jumping the queue during the combined polling for the Lok Sabha elections and the assembly elections.
The video footage captures the YSRCP MLA approaching the voter and delivering a slap, which is swiftly reciprocated by the voter. Following this exchange, the MLA’s aides join in, unleashing a physical assault on the voter as onlookers attempt to intervene. Notably, no security personnel are seen stepping in to halt the altercation.
Watch the video here:
Watch: @YSRCParty MLA caught on camera purportedly slapping a voter standing in a queue to vote. https://t.co/3D2963o1mN#AndhraPradeshElections2024 #Andhrapardeshelection2024 #LokSabaElections2024 #BigBreaking pic.twitter.com/FEAB259B9u
— The Theorist (@thetheorist_in) May 13, 2024
While the exact events leading up to the altercation remain unclear, social media has been quick to condemn the actions of YSRCP MLA A Sivakumar. The incident comes against the backdrop of Andhra Pradesh’s ongoing elections for 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats.
The ruling YSR Congress Party, led by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, is facing a fierce challenge from an alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by N Chandrababu Naidu.
Responding to the incident, TDP spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagi criticised the ruling party’s conduct, attributing it to desperation amid the ongoing elections.
“This is ridiculous,” Tirunagi responded. “The retaliation by the voter shows that people are not going to tolerate this nonsense anymore.”
When approached for comment, YSRCP leaders refused to speak to the media. However, on social media platforms, the party shared images of its purportedly injured supporters, alleging attacks by TDP members.
The incident underscores the heated atmosphere of the election campaign in Andhra Pradesh, characterized by intense exchanges between the TDP and YSRCP. Both parties are vying for significant electoral victories, with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy seeking to maintain his decade-long hold on power while N Chandrababu Naidu and the BJP alliance push for a return to governance.
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