Pulivendula Civic Polls Turn Violent: India Today Crew Assaulted, Camera Smashed

A crew from India Today, including reporter Abdul Basheer and video journalist Vijay, was assaulted by an aggressive mob in Pulivendula while covering the Andhra Pradesh local body by-elections. The incident occurred near the Gandhi statue, Pulivendula police station, and a government school in Havilipuram. According to accounts from the ground, a mob of 50 to 80 people surrounded the crew, assaulted the video journalist, smashed the camera LCD, and stole the memory card and battery to wipe out recorded evidence. The crew had earlier filmed incidents of stone pelting and alleged poll rigging across contested wards in the constituency. The mob also attempted to snatch microphones and mobile phones before the journalists managed to flee to safety. Following the assault, the journalists approached the Superintendent of Police, who assured strict action. A formal complaint was subsequently lodged at the Pulivendula police station, leading to the registration of a First Information Report.

Speaking from an open jeep at an INDIA bloc rally, Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor addressed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots amid a padayatra organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Tharoor expressed deep sorrow over the violence, stating, "None of us have anything but regrets for the tragic loss of lives in 1984, but this is 2026. We want to think about the future of India." While condemning the historical tragedy, the Congress lawmaker stressed that the country must now focus forward on its future.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the INDIA bloc held competing rallies and marches across Delhi and Haryana's Rohtak. The opposition alliance staged the 'Chalo Delhi' march to Ramlila Maidan, raising allegations of electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In response, the BJP organized counter-demonstrations, including a solidarity padyatra in Delhi concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior leaders. Additionally, BJP National President Nitin Nabin led the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' padyatra alongside Smriti Irani in Rohtak, targeting the Congress and countering the opposition's claims.

A spokesperson addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party media briefing criticised the Congress party and the INDIA alliance over their rally at Ramlila Maidan. Displaying video footage of the venue, the speaker challenged claims that ten lakh people attended, asserting that only twenty-eight thousand chairs were placed and significant portions of the ground remained empty. The speaker rejected allegations questioning the legality of the 2024 general elections, noting that challenging poll outcomes years later without judicial petitions lacked merit. The address also responded to remarks regarding the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, maintaining that notices to absent or shifted electors are part of standard verification procedures rather than vote deletion. Addressing questions from reporters, the speaker criticised the decision to hold the political gathering on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and accused regional opposition parties of shielding illegal infiltrators.