Nandyal bypoll: Tension as Silpa Reddy, Bhuma file papers

ANANTAPUR: Nandyal politics witnessed interesting twists on Monday after Telugu Desam leaders made objections over the nomination papers of YSR Congress candidate Shilpa Mohan Reddy for producing the papers with “notary” from an advocate whose licence has not been renewed since 2013.

The Telugu Desam leaders also brought a letter from the district registrar office of Nandyal and submitted to the returning officer during scrutiny.

Mr Shilpa Mohan Reddy submitted nomination papers and connecting documents with attestation from notary advocate S. Rama Tulasi Reddy of Nandyal.

His son Shilpa Prasanna Venkata Reddy, who is a dummy candidate, also submitted notary attestation from the same advocate.

Meanwhile, Telugu Desam candidate Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy filed an objection with the returning officer, seeking rejection of Mr Mohan Reddy’s nomination. Advocate Rama Tulasi Reddy of the Nandyal Bar Association was a notary till December 2013 and did not renew the notary licence thereafter.

The Nandyal district registrar had issued a letter based on a representation by Mr Brahmananda Reddy. But the advocate attested the papers.

YSR Congress cadres were anxious for about three hours after the issue got viral on social media. Further, the Telugu Desam leaders also pointed out the rejection of nomination of Kadiri Baburao in 2009 general polls.

Meanwhile, Mr Mohan Reddy filed objection over Mr Brahmananda Reddy’s nomination papers that he has not submitted IT returns along with the nomination.

The returning officer, after three hours, cleared objections for both queries by the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress, and also accepted nominations during the final scrutiny on Monday evening.

YSRC leader Ambati Rambabu alleged the EC decision was a lesson for CM N. Chandrababu Naidu who was playing cheap tricks to demoralise the YSRC cadres in Nandyal Assembly by-polls.

“CM Naidu is living in fear of defeat,” Mr Rambabu said.