YSRCP Moves Supreme Court Over Alleged Poll Violence in Andhra
YSRCP moves Supreme Court alleging violence blocked candidates from filing nominations for Andhra Pradesh urban local body polls.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a critical plea from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on October 21 regarding alleged poll violence in Andhra Pradesh. The party has approached the apex court after the Andhra Pradesh High Court refused to extend the nomination deadline for the upcoming urban local body elections, claiming that systemic intimidation and violence prevented its candidates from filing their nomination papers.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana will preside over the hearing. The timing is particularly tight, as October 21 marks the final day for the withdrawal of candidature, with the actual polling scheduled for October 28.
Allegations of Chaos and Intimidation
The YSRCP has detailed a series of disturbing incidents that allegedly took place on October 16, which was the first day of the nomination process. The party claims that violence erupted in several key areas, including Punganur, Rayachoti, Kadapa, and Tirupati.
According to the party's submissions:
- In Kadapa, it is alleged that a candidate's nomination papers were forcibly snatched and torn.
- In Tirupati, candidates were reportedly assaulted and physically blocked from reaching the designated nomination centres.
To bolster these claims, the YSRCP has submitted affidavits from nine candidates in Tirupati who have formally testified to these disruptions.
The Legal Battle: From High Court to Supreme Court
The party's legal journey began on October 10, when it first approached the High Court requesting the establishment of additional nomination centres to ensure safety and accessibility. However, a single judge dismissed this plea on October 15.
Following the dismissal, the YSRCP sought a one-day extension of the nomination deadline. This request was rejected by a division bench on October 18. The High Court maintained that extending a deadline that had already expired would constitute an undue interference in the election process.
YSRCP's Argument for Intervention
In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the YSRCP has challenged the High Court's stance on judicial restraint. The party argues that while courts generally avoid interfering in election matters, this restraint should not be an absolute bar—especially when the democratic process itself is being undermined by obstruction and violence.
The party contends that the mere fact that a deadline has expired should not be used as a justification to deny relief if the candidates were physically prevented from meeting that deadline due to external disruptions.
What the YSRCP is Seeking
The plea filed before the Supreme Court seeks several urgent interventions to ensure a fair electoral process:
- An extension of the nomination period to allow obstructed candidates to file.
- The creation of additional nomination centres equipped with videography for transparency.
- Strict police protection for candidates during the process.
- A stay on the declaration of any candidates who might be elected unopposed due to the absence of YSRCP contenders.