Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, along with their respective family members, were among the early voters in the state on Monday.
The Assembly elections will be held simultaneously with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh.
Governor Nazeer and First Lady Sameera Nazeer exercised their right to vote at the Green Polling Station in Vijayawada.
Jagan Mohan Reddy cast his vote in Bhakarapuram in Pulivendula constituency in Kadapa district, while Chandrababu Naidu and his wife exercised their franchise in Amaravati.
Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan voted in Mangalagiri.
Before the start of elections at 6 am in Macherla mandal in Palnadu district, violence broke out between the ruling YSRCP and TDP cadres. A TDP supporter suffered a huge cut on her forehead.
Palnadu district superintendent of police Bindu Madhav Garikapati told PTI that the situation is peaceful now.
A mob of around a hundred villagers attacked an election agent and a case of attempt to murder was being registered against over a hundred members, Kadapa SP Siddharth Kaushal said.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that people have seen better governance over the last five years.
“You have seen governance and if you think you have benefited from it, then vote for that governance which will lead to a better future,” he told reporters.
Naidu said voting is a weapon in democracy that will fix the lives of voters, the society and the future of their children.
“I only ask one thing from the entire state. Voting is your right, it will change your lives. It will also change your lives and lay the foundation not only for your children but also for the future generation. Everyone should come forward responsibly and exercise their right to vote and express their inner feelings to announce the good government that is coming,” said the former prime minister.
Voting is scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm in the state, except in some places where it will conclude one or two hours earlier.
Jagan Mohan Reddy (Pulivendula), Chandrababu Naidu (Kuppam) and Janasena boss and actor Pawan Kalyan (Pithapuram), among others, are in the Assembly election race.
Andhra Pradesh Congress president and Jagan’s sister YS Sharmila (Kadapa) and BJP state chief D Purandeswari (Rajamahendravaram), among others, are in the fray in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The YSRCP is contesting all 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments in the state.
As part of a seat-sharing deal between NDA partners, the TDP was allotted 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, while the BJP is contesting from six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats.
The Janasena is contesting two seats in the Lok Sabha and 21 in the Assembly.
(With input from PTI)