The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken action against some police officers in the state on Sunday evening, a few hours ahead of the polling. It has ordered action against Nandyala SP Raghuveer Reddy and filed charges against him, who failed to implement the Election Code.
Along with the SP, DGP was asked to order a departmental probe against SDPO Rabindranath Reddy and CI Raja Reddy. In the order, the ECI said that the details of the action taken against the three officers should be reported within 7 pm on Sunday itself.
ECI said that no permission was taken regarding the visit of film actor Allu Arjun to Nandyala on the last day for the campaigning. The ECI expressed anger that fans gathered in large numbers to see him and the police failed to control the crowd even though Section 144 was in force.
Film actor Allu Arjun’s visit to Nandyala said to be supporting his friend and sitting YCP MLA Shilpa Ravichandra Reddy, who is contesting again. The Bollywood actor and star hero Allu Arjun along with his wife Snehra Reddy went to the MLA’s house for breakfast.
Without taking prior permission from the Returning Officer, YCP ranks strategically brought him from the outskirts of the town into the town in rally with a large number of vehicles and motorcycles. Although there was no official permission for his visit, the police made elaborate arrangements for it.
Some brought this matter to the attention of the ECI. On the other hand, the Returning Officer filed a police complaint against YCP MLA candidate Shilpa Ravichandra Reddy, Allu Arjun and others stating that without seeking his permission people had mobilized. The case was registered under IPC section 188 and the case was registered as crime number 71/2024.
As TDP chief and former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was also visiting Nandyala on the same day for his Prajagalam campaign, this has led to a tense situation in the city. This has forced ECI to act.
Meanwhile, the ECI has transferred five CIs from Tirupati responding to the complaint made by TDP leaders stating that they were working in collusion with the ruling YCP leaders. Five CIs- Jaganmohan Reddy, Anjuyadav, Amarnath Reddy, Srinivasulu and Vinodkumar were ordered to perform duties in Anantapur.