The confrontation erupted outside the Tirupati Municipal Corporation on Saturday, as Yadav and his delegation faced a sudden halt to their nomination attempt. Police demanded identity cards and nomination documents, a request that was met with resistance. An unidentified individual allegedly snatched the papers and fled, turning the process into a standoff.
Yadav, accompanied by MP Maddila Gurumoorthy and MLC Sipai Subramanyam, protested in the rain alongside his mother, Renuka Yadav, while the TDP supporters swarmed the compound. The delegation’s attempts to re-enter were blocked until the deadline, and their documents were confiscated again. The scene escalated to the point where media personnel were reportedly attacked and footage allegedly shredded.
TDP officials denied any interference, insisting that candidates were given equal opportunity to file nominations. YSRCP leaders, however, accused the ruling alliance of political intimidation and demanded intervention from the Election Commission. They also called for deployment of Central forces and enhanced CCTV coverage.
The Tirupati incident was not isolated. Across Andhra Pradesh, clashes erupted at several nomination centres; in Pulivendula, police used lathi charges, tear gas, and fired warning shots to disperse a crowd. The violence underscored the high stakes of the upcoming municipal elections.
The Election Commission has now accepted Yadav’s nomination, allowing him to contest the Tirupati mayoral race. The municipal elections are scheduled for next month, and the Commission will monitor the process closely.