In a disturbing incident that has captured widespread attention, an MLA from the YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh, A Sivakumar, was caught on camera slapping a voter at a polling booth in Guntur district. The video of the altercation has since gone viral, drawing strong condemnation on social media.
The incident unfolded as voters queued up to cast their ballots in the ongoing elections for Andhra Pradesh’s 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats. In the video, MLA A Sivakumar can be seen approaching the voter and delivering a slap, prompting the voter to retaliate. The MLA’s aides then join in, escalating the situation into a physical altercation in the polling queue.
The video has sparked outrage over the display of VIP culture and political aggression, with many criticizing the MLA’s behavior and the lack of intervention from security personnel at the scene. The exact reason for the confrontation leading to the slapping incident remains unclear.
TDP spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagi condemned the incident, attributing it to the ruling party’s desperation amid a fiercely contested election. She highlighted the voter’s retaliation as a sign that people are no longer willing to tolerate such behavior from politicians.
In response to the viral video, YSR Congress Party MLA Abdul Hafeez Khan stated that they are reviewing the footage and alleged a conspiracy to tarnish the party’s image. The party has also shared visuals of injured supporters and workers on social media, accusing TDP members of attacking them.
The incident comes amidst a heated electoral battle in Andhra Pradesh, with the YSR Congress Party led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy facing off against an alliance of the BJP and the N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Both parties have aggressively campaigned, and tensions have escalated in the lead-up to the polls as they vie for victory.
Sources By Agencies