YSR Congress Party president and leader of opposition, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy predicted a “landslide victory” for his party after polling ended on Thursday. The general and assembly elections to 175 assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats was marred by violence leading to multiple deaths of party workers and injuring scores on either sides.
From the early hours of Thursday, people flocked to polling stations in large numbers to exercise their right to vote. The polling percentage was unusually high as it was around 80 per cent when reports last came in. It is expected to increase further as polling is still underway in some places.
Looking jubilant and relaxed, a tanned Jagan said that the large turnout indicated that it was a “positive sign” for him. He accused TDP supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu of trying his best to disrupt the elections and decrease the voting percentage. Reacting to Naidu’s demand for a re-poll he criticised him for “stooping low” to escape defeat.
He thanked the party workers for their support while extending his sympathies to the two YSRCP workers who died during the clashes. He added that women voted in large numbers because they wanted to teach TDP a lesson.
In a no-holds barred fight, violence broke out in more than 25 polling stations across the state. In a number of places, TDP and YSRCP leaders staged dharna and accused each other of rigging and malpractices. Polling began late due to malfunctioning of EVMs.
The drama continued till late evening as chief minister's son and Mangalagiri MLA candidate, Nara Lokesh protested at a polling station. He accused the election commission officials of delaying polling in some stations to decrease the poll percentage to favour YSRCP candidate. He, along with party workers, alleged that he was attacked by members of the opposite party.
