YSRCP Protests Turn Violent: Ex-MLA Detained, 26 Arrested in Andhra Crackdown

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) protests against the arrest of 26 party members, including its Amadalavalasa constituency in-charge Chintada Ravikumar, escalated into clashes in Vijayawada and a hunger strike in Visakhapatnam on August 8, 2026. The arrests have triggered allegations of political vendetta by the state government.

Ravikumar was detained on the outskirts of Srikakulam on charges of misbehaviour with a woman Sub-Inspector during Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Ampolu on July 30, 2026. Alongside him, 25 others were also arrested in connection with the incident. YSRCP leaders, including former Ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao and Dharmana Krishna Das, and MLC Kumbha Ravibabu, condemned the arrests, claiming they were politically motivated.

Protests erupted in Amadalavalasa and other locations following the detentions. In Vijayawada, an ex-MLA associated with YSRCP was detained amid clashes between protesters and authorities. Meanwhile, a hunger strike was organized in Visakhapatnam to demand the release of the arrested members and protest alleged state repression.

Family members of some of the accused disputed the charges, asserting that many of those named in the First Information Report were not present in Ampolu on July 30. Dharmana Prasada Rao further alleged that video footage contradicted the claims of misbehaviour, showing Ravikumar did not engage in any wrongdoing during the CM’s visit.

The Ampolu case also involves former Minister Seediri Appalaraju, who was previously arrested in an accident case involving his son. The broader context of the protests reflects ongoing tensions between YSRCP and the state government over law enforcement actions against party members.