The tense situation that prevailed after the arrest of former Minister Kodela Sivaprasada Rao eased on Monday after he was granted bail by the court at Chilakaluripet. The TDP cadre enforced district bandh in protest against the alleged unprovoked aggression of the police during Sunday’s agitation over irregularities in the enrolment of voters for cooperative elections at Narsaraopet, at the behest of Minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy.
In Guntur, hundreds of party activists held up traffic at Sankar Vilas Centre demanding suspension of Narsaraopet DSP Venkatarami Reddy for ordering a “cracking down on the peaceful protesters”.
TDP floor leader in the Legislative Council Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, Telugu Rythu president Karanam Balaramakrishna Murthy, and others lashed out at the police, the DSP in particular, for “unleashing a reign of terror” on party activists who were expressing their resentment peacefully.
In a memorandum submitted to the Inspector General of Police Ravi Gupta at his camp office, the TDP leaders demanded a thorough probe into the incident and the conduct of the DSP.
Inquiry sought
Hyderabad Special Correspondent adds:
Telugu Desam MLAs demanded suspension of DSP Venkatarami Reddy for manhandling former Minister Kodela Sivaprasada Rao and indiscriminate lathi-charge of party leaders and workers protesting against irregularities in the enrolment of members in Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies in the State.
Telugu Desam MLAs G. Muddu Krishnama Naidu, B.Gopalakrishna Reddy, M. Narasimhulu and others met the Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy here on Monday. The MLAs demanded an inquiry into irregularities in membership enrolment, stern action against the accused and removal of bogus votes.
Meanwhile, PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana criticised Mr. Kodela for his attempts to take law into his hands by storming the house of Minister Venkata Krishna Reddy that prompted the police to initiate action.
