The YSR Congress Party leadership here accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party leaders of political vendetta on Monday after two of its MLAs here received notice for appearing before the police officials in connection with the ongoing investigation into the cricket betting case.
Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy and Nellore Town MLA P. Anil Kumar were served notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code over their likely acquaintance with the accused in the case.
The incident took place amid reports that the police found evidence of these MLAs having links with the arrested cricket bookies whose telephone call records have been closely tracked and analysed as part of the extensive probe.
Mr. Sridhar Reddy blamed it on the ruling TDP saying that it was a clear case of misuse of the police machinery to harass the opposition leaders taking advantage of the case. The timing of police notice also indicated that the officials were under pressure from the TDP leaders, he added.
Mr. Reddy told a media conference here on Monday that he was served notice when he was busy with the party activities for the Nandyal bypoll in Kurnool district on Sunday and he had rushed back in order to appear before the police officials and extend all cooperation in the case.
At the same time, Mr. Sridhar Reddy took objection to the reports suggesting that they were involved along with the bookies and punters in the case.
The YSRCP leaders asserted that they would begin an agitation here if the political harassment by the ruling party would not stop in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the MLAs are expected to be questioned not by the SP but by an officer of the Additional SP rank on Tuesday. Following this, much political heat has been generated in the last couple of days here.
