YSRCP seeks transfer of senior IPS officers over poll violence

Tirupati: YSRCP has urged State Election Commission (SEC) to initiate transfers and appropriate disciplinary proceedings against senior IPS officers in Andhra Pradesh over alleged electoral violence and police bias during the local body elections.In a complaint addressed to the state election commissioner (SEC), Tirupati MP Dr M Gurumoorthy sought an independent inquiry into allegations of police bias and electoral violence, along with a thorough review of compliance with previous transfer directives.YSRCP has sent copies of the complaint to President of India, Chief Justice of India, the Union home secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and Andhra Pradesh governor, seeking their intervention.The complaint details alleged incidents of violence, intimidation and obstruction of opposition candidates during the nomination period from Oct 16 to 18, particularly in Annamayya and Kadapa districts.Gurumoorthy alleged that on Oct 16, Rajampet MP and Lok Sabha panel speaker PV Midhun Reddy, along with YSRCP nominees, was waylaid and attacked by TDP activists, triggering chaos that prevented candidates from filing nominations at Punganur.He added that similar incidents of obstruction and attacks on YSRCP nominees were reported across Kadapa and Annamayya districts, including Pulivendula, Kamalapuram, Kadapa, Yerraguntla, Rajampet, Rayachoti, Badvel, Mydukur and Proddatur.Official nomination and withdrawal reports from these districts, the complaint said, reflected heavily skewed outcomes. In Kamalapuram and Badvel, valid nominations for chairperson and ward posts overwhelmingly favoured TDP candidates, while opposition representation was virtually absent.YSRCP representation specifically named deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Dr Koya Praveen, Annamayya district superintendent of police Dheeraj Kanubilli and Kadapa district superintendent of police Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath, seeking their immediate removal from election-related duties over the alleged concentration of violence in their jurisdictions.YSRCP also accused DIG Koya Praveen of allegedly making objectionable political remarks about MP PV Midhun Reddy’s character. The remarks reportedly circulated widely on social media, triggering criticism over the officer’s political neutrality.The complaint further called for a thorough administrative review of Dr Koya Praveen’s current deployment in light of a 2019 govt order (G.O.Rt.No.815) that had directed his removal from field duties to ensure electoral impartiality.The electoral process has also come under judicial scrutiny, with a writ petition (W.P. No. 30103 of 2026) filed before Andhra Pradesh High Court.In its Oct 15, 2026, order, the high court ruled that blanket directions to shift designated nomination venues could not be issued on the basis of mere apprehension. However, it allowed individual candidates facing credible threats to approach election officers seeking secure alternative locations to file their nominations.Invoking these legal avenues, opposition leaders are urging SEC to exercise its statutory powers, coordinate with Election Commission of India and state authorities, order a comprehensive independent inquiry, preserve CCTV footage and other electronic evidence, and enforce stringent security measures to restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law during the ongoing local body elections.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Vijayawada | Silver Rate in Vijayawada | Bank Holidays in Vijayawada | Public Holidays in Vijayawada | Petrol Price in Vijayawada | Diesel Price in Vijayawada | CNG Price in Vijayawada | LPG Price in VijayawadaStay updated with the latest Vijayawada news. Download the TOI App.