Accusing the ruling YSRCP of unleashing a reign of terror in the State, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and TDP national president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked the police to act impartially.
Speaking after giving a patient hearing to the party workers, who were allegedly victims of violence and harassment at the hands of the YSRCP activists, Mr. Naidu said it was unfortunate that a section of the police colluded with the ruling party activists at the grass-roots level to foist cases against the TDP workers.
Compensation
Mr. Naidu announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to each to the families of the victims.
Stating that he had given a free hand to the police when he was in power, Mr. Naidu expressed dismay over the turn of events during the YSRCP rule as the TDP activists in several places were forced to move out of their native villages.
“We will not indulge in rowdyism. But do we have to keep quiet if the TDP activists are killed in one place or the other?” he asked.
Mr. Naidu demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and DGP Gautam Sawang over incidents of the YSRCP activists taking law into their own hands and targeting those who worked for the TDP during the elections.
Mr. Naidu’s two-day interaction with the party cadres from the 10 Assembly constituencies where the party drew a blank in the elections came in the wake of reports that the TDP second-rung leaders were under pressure to shift their loyalties to the ruling party.
Review meetings
Senior leaders Panabaka Lakshmi, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, P. Narayana, and B. Ravichandra were among those who took part in the constituency-wise review meetings organised to boost the morale of the cadres ahead of the local body elections.
