Kakinada: Except for a few isolated incidents, elections in 17 municipalities including the Eluru Municipal Corporation across the five districts of Kakinada, Eluru, Konaseema, East and West Godavari concluded in a peaceful manner on Sunday.
Tension prevailed at the Radhalapeta polling booth in Pithapuram municipality, where the constituency represented by the deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan.
Jana Sena leaders and cadres staged a protest in wards 18 and 19 before the polling process was drawing to a close.
The JS leaders alleged that the party candidate in the ward was forced out of the booth while the representatives of the YSRC and an Independent candidate were allowed to remain inside.
Receiving the information, Kakinada Lok Sabha member Tangella Uday Srinivas and Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Venkateswara Rao (Nanaji) rushed to the spot and staged a protest in front of the polling station.
Jana Sena leaders alleged that officials had colluded with YSRC leaders.
Meanwhile, the officials explained the situation and managed to pacify them, following which the protest was called off.
Meanwhile, YSRC workers, led by former MP Vanga Geettha, also prepared to stage a protest, but the police officials explained the situation to them.
The issue was resolved after officials successfully persuaded both groups to disperse.
Meanwhile, in the 13th ward in Pithapuram, YSRC councillor candidate Arigela Varalakshmi “caught” Telugu Desam workers “casting fake votes.”
In Samalkot, clashes occurred between YSRC and Jana Sena workers in the 33rd ward.
Jana Sena leaders alleged that YSRC leaders have caused obstructions.
YSRC leaders said the Jana Sena candidate entered the polling booths to cast fake votes.
Meanwhile, DCCB chairman and Jana Sena’s Kakinada district president Tummala Babu entered the scene and shouted at the officials.
The police told them that cases were booked against both the groups.
Tummala babu said the police should book cases only after identifying the wrongdoers.
There was a tussle between YSRC and Telugu Desam candidates.
Meanwhile the police rushed to spot and dispersed them.
Voter turnout in these local body elections was lower than in the past.
Voters did not show much interest in exercising their franchise.
According to a voter in Jangareddygudem, in previous elections, police personnel used to remain at some distance from the polling booths, creating an environment where voters could cast their ballots freely.
But this time, however, heavy security arrangements were made with police deployed right around the polling booths.
Consequently, voters did not show much enthusiasm.
At the same time, many voters who have migrated to other places have not come to cast their vote.
Autos used to transport voters to the polling booths.
But police did not allow the vehicles near the polling booths.
According to sources, this was also a reason for the fall in the turnout.
In these elections, voters have received money mainly from alliance party candidates.
In many places, YSRC candidates did not distribute money.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
