Andhra Pradesh

TDP sets up ‘shelter’ for party sympathisers allegedly attacked by ruling YSRCP in AP

Written by : TNM Staff

The Telugu Desam Party in Guntur has set up a ‘rehabilitation shelter’ for victims of attacks by the YSR Congress Party. TDP State President Kala Venkata Rao and General Secretary Nara Lokesh visited ‘victims’ at the camp on Friday. Sharing a video of his visit to the camp, Lokesh tweeted, “I visited the rehabilitation camp for the TDP sympathisers’ families who were victims of the YSRCP’s vile political vendettas. It was heartbreaking to hear each person’s account. I have assured them that there will be no fear of such attacks from now on, that we will give a firm response, and the party will stand by all of them.”

Earlier in July, TDP had launched a toll-free number in order to 'safeguard' party workers and supporters who were allegedly being attacked by the YSRCP across the state. Lokesh had also asked the party cadre to post about the alleged violence that they were facing on social media.

After the election results to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha were declared on May 23, parts of the state witnessed post-poll clashes between YSRCP and TDP workers for more than a month. Even the day of the elections witnessed as many as 25 incidents of violence. 

Lokesh on Friday insinuated that the police had turned one-sided under the YSRCP. “Mr Jagan, your workers and leaders have been acting like animals, committing monstrosities on the public. But you have been completely indifferent, leaving matters of peace and security unattended. The police who are supposed to stand by the public, has been silent and unilateral. Is this democracy?”

Speaking to a local media outlet, Gurajala MLA from YSRCP Kasu Mahesh Reddy said that the rehabilitation camp was part of ‘drama’ being done in Guntur by Chandrababu Naidu. “For five years, TDP MLAs were let free like dacoits in the Palnadu region. They were involved in corrupt activities like illegal mining, gambling, fake seeds and liquor. People from SC and BC communities have been threatened and exploited in the region. The murders of YS Raja Reddy and YS Vivekananda Reddy occurred during Naidu’s term, even the murder attempt on Jagan Mohan Reddy happened during his term. There was no semblance of law and order during Naidu’s term,” Mahesh Reddy said. 

Alleging that ex-Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, former Gurajala MLA Yarapathineni Srinivasa Rao and other TDP leaders were all involved in corrupt activities, Mahesh Reddy said that the camp was meant to ‘protect thieves’. “We invite them (TDP leaders) to Palnadu villages to participate in public discussions and find out how much injustice was done in the five years of their term, and the last 3 months. We assure to give them protection,” he said. 

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