Political tensions in Andhra Pradesh have escalated during the ongoing local body election nomination process, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy trading allegations over violence, intimidation and the conduct of elections.

Jagan Mohan Reddy, a former chief minister, has demanded the immediate imposition of President’s Rule in the state. He has accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government of using the police and administrative machinery to intimidate opposition candidates and obstruct the filing of nominations.

Naidu, meanwhile, has accused the YSRCP of resorting to violence and using court cases to obstruct government initiatives. The rival accusations have intensified the political confrontation ahead of the local body elections.

Chandrababu Naidu’s ‘DNA’ remark triggers political row

On Monday, Naidu accused the YSRCP of creating disturbances in several constituencies and alleged that criminal elements from other states were being brought into areas including Punganur, Rayachoti, Dharmavaram, Tirupati, Pulivendula and Darsi.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister also criticised the opposition over its legal challenges concerning issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and reservations for Backward Classes.

Accusing the opposition of using allegations of injustice to obstruct administrative and electoral processes, Naidu said, “Violence is in their DNA.”

The remark added to the ongoing political exchange between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP.

Jagan alleges intimidation of opposition candidates

Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the TDP-led government of creating an environment in which opposition candidates are unable to file their nominations freely.

The YSRCP chief alleged that party candidates were threatened with knives and sticks at nomination centres and that nomination papers were snatched or torn. He also accused police personnel of acting against opposition candidates and party leaders.

Reddy further alleged that police officials were picking up candidates during the night to prevent them from participating in the election process.

He claimed that three YSRCP MPs who accompanied candidates as proposers were also targeted and that their nomination papers were snatched and torn in the presence of police personnel.

These claims form part of the opposition party’s allegations against the state government. The ruling side has disputed the YSRCP’s account and accused it of politicising the violence.

Tensions reported during nomination scrutiny in Kuppam

The political confrontation coincided with tensions in Kuppam, Naidu’s home constituency in Chittoor district, on Monday during the scrutiny of nominations for local body elections.

Workers of the TDP and YSRCP allegedly clashed near a nomination centre. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the rival groups.

Several people were injured and taken to hospitals in ambulances, according to the report. Candidates and party workers were also seen running for safety as the situation turned tense.

An official confirmation of the injuries and police action was awaited at the time of the report.

Jagan calls for central intervention

Demanding immediate central government intervention, Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that constitutional institutions in Andhra Pradesh were being undermined and that democratic rights were being violated.

He called for the imposition of President’s Rule and sought the deployment of central paramilitary forces to help ensure free and fair local body elections. He also demanded CCTV coverage of the entire election process.

The demand follows the YSRCP chief’s allegations that opposition candidates are being prevented from filing nominations and that police personnel are failing to protect them.

The ruling coalition has rejected the opposition’s allegations, leaving the two sides locked in a dispute over responsibility for the violence and the fairness of the electoral process.

Andhra Pradesh local body election schedule

The Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission, headed by State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha, announced the election schedule on October 14.

According to the announced timetable:

• Urban local bodies: Polling for 100 urban local bodies is scheduled for October 28, with counting on October 30.
• MPTC and ZPTC elections: Polling for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies is scheduled for November 3, with counting on November 5.
• Gram Panchayat elections: Polling is scheduled in three phases on November 26, November 29 and December 2.

The nomination process has become a fresh point of confrontation between the ruling coalition and the YSRCP, with both sides accusing the other of undermining the democratic process.

Mumbai Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against three unidentified individuals in connection with the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The case is under investigation as police work to identify those responsible for the shooting.

The incident took place on Sunday evening, October 18, when unidentified assailants opened fire at the vehicle carrying Shroff. The actor escaped without gunshot injuries, while two other people sustained injuries in the incident.

FIR registered against unidentified suspects

The police case names three unidentified individuals in connection with the firing. Investigators are examining evidence to establish the identities of the suspects and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The registration of the FIR marks a formal step in the investigation. However, the identities of the accused have not been established in the report, and the case remains under investigation.

What happened during the firing incident

The shooting occurred in Mumbai’s Juhu area as Shroff was returning after playing football. The assailants reportedly opened fire at his car before fleeing.

The actor’s driver was among the two people injured in the incident. Police have been investigating the circumstances of the shooting and examining available evidence to trace those involved.

Investigation continues

Mumbai Police are continuing their investigation into the firing. The motive behind the attack and the identities of those responsible remain key questions for investigators.

A claim of responsibility attributed to individuals allegedly associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has also surfaced on social media. However, the alleged gang’s involvement should not be treated as established fact without official confirmation from the police.

Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured strict action against those responsible for the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. The chief minister spoke to the actor after the incident and directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to expedite the investigation and take action against the accused.

The shooting took place in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday evening, October 18, when gunmen opened fire at the actor’s car as he was leaving a football venue. Tiger Shroff did not sustain any gunshot injuries but suffered minor injuries to his left hand from gunpowder and broken glass. Two other people, including his driver, were also injured in the incident.

Fadnavis directs police to speed up investigation

Following the incident, Fadnavis contacted Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti to seek details of the firing. He instructed the police to conduct a swift investigation, trace the accused and take strict action against those responsible.

The chief minister also spoke to Tiger Shroff and assured him of the government’s support, saying the accused would be traced and apprehended at the earliest.

The police have formed multiple teams to investigate the incident and identify those involved. According to reports published on October 19, 15 teams have been formed to track down the assailants.

Tiger Shroff suffers minor injuries in Mumbai firing

The incident occurred in Juhu as the actor was leaving a football venue in his car. Unidentified men allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at the vehicle.

Although Tiger escaped direct gunfire, his driver sustained a gunshot injury. Another person, identified in reports as an autorickshaw driver, was also injured in the incident. Both were taken for medical treatment.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and examining available evidence to identify the attackers.

Alleged gang claim under investigation

Following the firing, an audio recording and social media claims attributed to people claiming links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang surfaced. The claims reportedly referred to Tiger Shroff’s association with actor Salman Khan. 

However, the authenticity of the claims had not been independently verified in the reporting available at the time. The claims should not be treated as confirmation of the attackers’ identity or the motive behind the shooting.

The investigation remains focused on identifying those who opened fire and establishing the circumstances behind the incident.