The Telugu Desam party has intensified its ongoing agitation against the steep hike in property tax.
Led by district unit president Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu and several leaders, they burnt a giant effigy of the Congress measuring 53-feet at the GVMC office on Wednesday deploring its misrule and the hike.
The effigy was carried by several workers and set afire after sprinkling petrol on it. The sudden burst of flames scared the leaders with several of them running helter-skelter. TDP (Urban) President Peela Srinivasa Rao suffered a minor burn on his hair. Police later put out the fire by dousing it with water.
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Later, a big rally with torches from Siripuram to GVMC office was taken out. The TDP leaders raised slogans at the GVMC office denouncing the Mayor and the steep hike.
Meanwhile, the relay fasts near the GVMC statue continued for the fourth day on Thursday. Cadres from Visakhapatnam South constituency led by Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar participated in the fast.
Visakhapatnam East MLA V. Ramakrishna Babu, Floor Leader in the GVMC Ch.V. Pattabhiram and several corporators participated.
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Rollback demanded
Finding fault with the Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao's attitude on the property tax hike and demanding a rollback, the CPI(M) city unit burnt his effigy at the GVMC office.
CPI(M) district secretary Ch. Narsinga Rao said the Mayor should not shift the blame to the Opposition by stating that they had agreed to the hike and wanted it to be reduced. It was deplorable that the government memo directing the implementation of the gazette notification was sought to be implemented unilaterally, he said. The hike was would further burden people faced with increase in prices.Party city secretary K. Lokanadham, district secretariat member B. Ganga Rao, floor leader in GVMC B. Eswaramma participated.