Police took CPI (M) leaders into custody, prevented protests, foil ‘Chalo Lok Bhavan’

Congress and Left party leaders and activists stage a protest in Vijayawada on October 10, 2026, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. The protesters raise slogans and display placards criticising the Election Commission, while calling for greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of elections. | Photo Credit: G.N. Rao Police took many CPI (M) leaders into preventive custody to foil the ‘Chalo Lok Bhavan’ programme proposed by the Left parties and their affiliated unions in Vijayawada on Saturday (October 10, 2026).Alleging irregularities in SIR and extending support to the agitation planned at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, leaders of CPI (M), CITU, Students Federation of India (SFI) and other unions gave a call for ‘Chalo Lok Bhavan’.However, the NTR Commissionerate Police said there was no permission for protests planned by CPI (M) and other parties as Section 30 of Police Act, 1861, was in force.Additional forces were deployed at the houses of the leaders and at all major junctions in Vijayawada as a precautionary measure.CPI (M) State Secretary V. Srinivas, and his followers were reportedly taken into custody at Lenin Centre, when they tried to take out a protest rally. Police took CPI (M) leaders, B. Venkateswara Rao and J. Venkateswara Rao at Tiruvuru and A. Konduru, in NTR District.Police mobilised forces at the house of CPI (M) leader Ch. Babu Rao and at the party's State office, and stopped SFI State general secretary K. Prasanna Kumar.Mild tension prevailed at Kesarapalli village in Krishna district, when APCC President Y.S. Sharmila staged a protest on the main road on Vijayawada outskirts.Police forces prevented Ms. Sharmila from entering into Vijayawada. Published - October 10, 2026 03:36 pm IST