Misfire injures TDP candidate, policeman in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool

Hyderabad: A Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate and a police official were shot and injured in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district on Saturday. P. Tikka Reddy, TDP candidate for Mantrayalam assembly seat, was shot in the thigh when one of his security personnel's gun misfired during his election campaign. Shots were fired after his supporters clashed with those of sitting MP Y. Balanagi Reddy of the opposition YSR Congress (YSRCP) district in Kagallu village, Balanagi Reddy's native place.

The trouble started after Balanagi Reddy's supporters allegedly stopped Tikka Reddy from entering Kagallu, leading to a clash. To quell the crowd, the latter's security officers fired shots into the air. Tikka Reddy was also allegedly pushed to the ground and, during the ensuing scuffle, a gun misfire caused by his security personnel resulted in a gunshot wound. An assistant sub-inspector was also injured during the operation. Both were rushed to different hospitals after the incident.

The incident in Kurnool district of AP is an example of factionalism in the region (of Rayalaseema). It is an unwritten rule in Kurnool district among faction leaders not to campaign in areas controlled by rival groups. Tikka Reddy had contested against Balanagi Reddy in the 2014 elections and lost. The two rivals will face off again in an electoral battle for the same seat in the upcoming parliamentary polls to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections on April 11 in AP.

In the upcoming elections, the ruling TDP, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, will face the main opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Unlike 2014, when it entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (which was supported by the Jana Sena Party), the TDP will be alone this time. Jagan Mohan Reddy is also the son of former AP Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy who died in a helicopter crash in 2008.