Pulivendula in YSR Kadapa district is experiencing a tense atmosphere as polling for the ZPTC by-elections in Pulivendula and Ontimitta constituencies is scheduled for today. In anticipation, authorities have deployed heavy police presence across both areas, with preventive arrests being made to maintain law and order and avoid any untoward incidents. A total of 22 candidates, including 11 independents, are contesting from the two seats representing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), and Congress.
Former Chief Minister YS Jagan represents the Pulivendula Assembly constituency, making the Pulivendula seat highly prestigious for the YSRCP. Amid the by-election preparations, Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy was placed under preventive arrest and confined at his residence, prompting protests by YSRCP workers. Police subsequently took him into custody and transferred him to Kadapa. Meanwhile, TDP MLC Ram Gopal Reddy agreed to house arrest at his residence, while Satish Reddy was also placed under house arrest in Vempalli. Polling started from 7 AM and will be continued till 5 PM under the security of around 1,500 police personnel deployed in both mandals.
The key contest in Pulivendula is between TDP in-charge BTech Ravi’s wife, Mareddy Lata Reddy, and Hemant Reddy, son of the late YSRCP ZPTC Maheshwar Reddy. Approximately 10,600 voters in Pulivendula and 24,000 voters in Ontimitta, spread across 15 and 30 polling centers respectively, will cast their votes. Special check-posts have been set up along the Pulivendula-Ontimitta border and district limits. The election results are expected on August 14.