The YSR Congress Party on Sunday suspended its trade union leader P. Gowtham Reddy for his “unpleasant comments against Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga”. The party also ordered the disciplinary committee to inquire into the matter and submit a report.
Mr. Reddy’s comments in an interview to a satellite channel triggered protests in the city on Sunday.
The satellite channel released bits of his comments which went viral on social media forcing the YSRCP to condemn and disown them initially.
ADVERTISEMENT
But as the protests unfolded aggressively and the police took former MLA and YSRCP leader Vangaveeti Radhakrishna, son of Ranga, into preventive custody, the YSRCP announced the suspension.
A near scuffle ensued between the police and Mr. Radha’s followers when the former prevented him from proceeding towards the party office to address a press conference. His mother and former MLA Ratna Kumari fainted in the melee. Both of them were shifted to the Ibrahimpatnam police station forcibly. Later, they were released, according to DCP T.K. Rana.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Tenders apology
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, Mr. Reddy tendered apologies to the Radha-Ranga family.
Earlier in the day, condemning the comments, YSRCP official spokesperson Kolusu Parthasarathi said everyone had respect for Ranga and Radha. The comments made by Mr. Reddy were his personal.
Congress slams remarks
“The YSRCP would issue show cause notice to him. The party would take a serious note if any other leader or worker makes unsavoury comments against any person or community in future,” he said.
Meanwhile, condemning the comments, Congress Party official spokesperson Kolanukonda Shivaji said Mr. Reddy had hurt the sentiments of lakhs of followers of Radha-Ranga. The police should arrest him immediately and slap non-bailable cases against him. Mr. Reddy has no locus standi to comment against Ranga, who is admired by lakhs of people, he said.