AP by-election begins under tough EC watch

PTI

Kadapa, 08 May 2011: The Election Commission is said to have imposed unprecedented restrictions to prevent use of money and muscle power by the candidates.

 

The Election Commission is said to have imposed unprecedented restrictions to prevent use of money and muscle power by the candidates.

 

Polling began this morning for the by-election to Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh amid tight security.

 

There are 13.29 lakh voters in Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency and 1.89 lakh in Pulivendula Assembly segment.

 

About 12,000 policemen have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the polling process. Among the over 1,500 polling stations in Kadapa, 584 have been identified as sensitive, 187 as hyper sensitive and 487 as troublesome.

 

Significantly, the polling process is being webcast to ensure transparency.

 

Former MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, seeking re-election from Kadapa, cast his vote at Pulivendula, while his uncle and Congress candidate from Pulivendula, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, also exercised his franchise in the town.

 

Talking to reporters, Vivekananda Reddy expressed confidence that he will win in Pulivendula (which falls under Kadapa district).

 

Asked about reports that he will be made the Chief Minister if he wins in Pulivendula, Mr. Vivekananda Reddy said it is a hypothetical question.

 

Mr. Jagan visited his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s grave in the family estate at Idupulapaya.

 

Talking to reporters after casting his vote, Jagan alleged that the Congress has split his family by making his uncle (Vivekananda Reddy) contest against his mother.

 

Polling will is being held from 8 am to 5 pm.

 

Bypolls to Kadapa and Pulivendula seats were necessitated as Mr. Jagan and his mother Vijayalakshmi quit as MP and MLA, respectively.