Despite elaborate security arrangements and deployment of over 11000 security personnel for the scheduled Kadapa bypolls on 8 May, the final day of campaigning ended in violence yesterday. Two Congress activists were allegedly done to death by YSR Congress workers in the early morning. Congress activists Subbarayudu, 55, and Lakshminarayana, 35, were attacked by unidentified persons in Chinnamarajupalli village near Proddatur with hunting sickles in the wee hours of Friday. Both of them died on the spot. By the afternoon, the police booked cases of murder against YSR Congress leader Nadipenna and his two sons Goverdhan and Srinivasulu. Cases were also booked against a few others, but nobody has been arrested as yet.

In a bid to convey to the 15-lakh strong electorate that they are very much in control, the paramilitary forces on Friday staged a march in major lanes of Kadapa town and and also Pulivendula, where assembly bypolls is slated for the same day. In all, about 80 companies of CRPF, BSF and CISF have been deployed for poll duty. This, coupled with the police personnel from AP and neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, takes the total number to over 11,000 personnel. So far, the authorities have seized Rs 4 crore of unaccounted money and 321 unauthorised vehicles during the campaign period. As with all the elections, the flow of cash and liquor is expected to touch a crescendo over the next 48 hours before polling takes place.