TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu faced a series of angry and violent protests by TRS and BJP activists on Monday as he forayed into Mahabubnagar in Telangana to highlight the problem of acute shortage of fertilizers in the region.
But, undeterred by stone-throwing mobs who targeted his convoy, Mr. Naidu continued and participated in a huge ‘dharna' by farmers near District Collectorate at Mahabubnagar town in pitch darkness at 7.30 p.m., five hours behind schedule. Almost all political parties, including the Congress and Praja Rajyam, condemned the attack.
Biggest protest
The biggest protest was at party MLA K. Harishwar Reddy's residence at Pargi in Ranga Reddy district where Mr. Naidu stopped for breakfast. TRS and ABVP activists, shouting slogans of “Chandrababu Naidu go back” tried to force their entry ostensibly to ask Mr. Naidu to clarify his stand on Telangana issue.
Arguments first with policemen who prevented them from entering Mr. Reddy's residence and then with TDP workers led to a tense situation. As Mr. Naidu's convoy was leaving, TRS and ABVP workers tried to obstruct it. As the police foiled their attempt, they started throwing stones in which a youth and a constable were injured. Glass panes of windscreen and windows of two vehicles of Mr. Naidu's convoy and four others, including the one carrying mediapersons, were damaged. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob. Before reaching Pargi, he faced two protests at Chevella and Puduru in Ranga Reddy district.
More trouble
As the TDP president's convoy entered Mahbubnagar district at Tunkimetla, more trouble was in store. Activists of TRS and BJP again tried to obstruct and when the policemen foiled their attempt, they threw stones at the convoy and the car in which mediapersons were travelling.
At Kosgi, pro-Telangana activists tried to disrupt his speech by raising slogans seeking a clear announcement by him on separate Telangana and submission of the report to the Srikrishna Committee.
Unruffled, Mr. Naidu declared that he was not one of those leaders who would run away intimidated by protests. He would continue to enlighten farmers on short supply of fertilizers and other problems, he said and wondered why the party was being targeted sparing the Congress when his party MLAs from the region never opposed Telangana, he added.
Mr. Naidu faced similar protests at Maddoor while a slipper was hurled at him at Koilkonda. But he escaped being hit by it. Castigating the TRS and BJP for trying to disrupt his meetings he described their behaviour as undemocratic and bordering on rowdyism.
