Amid Holi celebrations, TDP candidates file nominations for Assembly polls

Making the most of Holi celebrations, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders on Thursday filed their nomination papers for the ensuing Assembly polls in the state.

Colorful rallies, drum beats, and dancing workers just added festive grandeur to the occasion. Thousands of their supporters, who took part in the rallies, waived colourful flags and raised slogans in favour of TDP. The party cadres were of the view that filing of nominations on the day of Holi would turn out to be 'holy' for the party.

Jaggayyapeta MLA Sriram Rajagopal and Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao filed nominations from their own constituencies. TDP youth wing president Devineni Avinash filed nomination from Gudivada, Palla Srinivas Rao from Gajuwaka, and Vamsi from Gannavaram.

Before filing his nomination, Avinash first offered prayer at the temple of Lord Balaji. He also performed all religious rituals at his residence earlier in the day, took the blessings of his mother.

His nomination procession, starting from his residence, consisted of party cadres, raising slogans. Avinash also addressed them, expressing confidence of his victory.

YSR Congress Party headed by YS Jaganmohan Reddy and TDP by N Chandrababu Naidu are two major political parties that would be giving a tight competition to each other.

Tension also marked the occasion as the workers of TDP and YSR Congress clashed at Khaggal village of Kurnool district. During the clash, P Thikka Reddy, TDP's candidate from Mantralayam Assembly, seat sustained injuries. A cop who tried to prevent the clash was also injured in the scuffle.

To control the mob, the police had fired gunshots in the air, following which Reddy's gunman also fired allegedly into the air. Reddy is said to have sustained injuries on his leg and was immediately taken to Kurnool government hospital.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday released its final list of 25 candidates for Andhra Pradesh for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and the third list of 36 candidates for the state Assembly polls. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu-led party has finalised its candidates for both state and national polls.

There are 25 Lok Sabha and175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh will go to polls in a single phase on April 11. The Lok Sabha and legislative assembly polls will be held in the state simultaneously on this day. The results will be announced on May 23.