TDP leader’s gun licence under scrutiny after firing during local body nominations

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Amid widespread concerns over violence during the recently concluded nomination process for local body polls in Andhra Pradesh, the police have seized a gun belonging to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Koduru Balasubramanyam, who allegedly fired several rounds in the air during a clash with a rival faction of his own party. The police also said they plan to seek revocation of Balasubramanyam’s gun license, after he failed to report it and surrender it to the police when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force.

On October 22, Balasubramanyam allegedly fired several rounds in the air in an attempt to intimidate a rival TDP faction led by Yeddula Sagar, during the nomination process for Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad Territorial Council elections. A video of the incident, which occurred in Kadapa district’s Nandalur mandal, went viral on social media. The two groups also pelted stones and vandalised each others’ vehicles.

Balasubramanyam allegedly failed to deposit the licensed weapon with the police, as required when the MCC is in force, according to The Hindu.

The incident came to light even as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu denied that TDP members were involved in poll-related violence, blaming the opposition YSRCP instead.

Following the firing incident, police personnel from Rajampet rushed to the location, brought the situation under control and seized the weapon. Balasubramanyam was subsequently admitted to a hospital, reportedly citing a rib fracture. Eight people, two from each group, were arrested by the Rajampet police and sent to judicial remand.

The incident has drawn attention to irregularities in the handling of his licensed firearm. Although Balasubramanyam had obtained a licence from the Tirupati District Collector on security grounds, he had apparently not submitted the weapon’s details to the Collectorate. This information was required to be officially recorded and forwarded to the police for monitoring.

Consequently, the police were reportedly unaware of the weapon and had not sought its surrender after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force.

Kadapa Superintendent of Police Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke told The Hindu that the firearm, intended for self-defence, appeared to have been used without provocation. The police would write to the competent authority seeking cancellation of Balasubramanyam’s licence, he said.