BJP National President Amit Shah’s convoy came under attack in Tirupati on Friday, with TDP workers and other activists hurling stones at his vehicle. They were protesting the Centre’s refusal to grant special status to Andhra.
Amit Shah had gone with his family to visit the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams when TDP cadres raised slogans against the BJP Chief, chanting ‘Go back, Amit Shah’. Protesters also hurled stones at his convoy, shattering the glass of one of the cars. The incident took place at Alipiri gate.
Security officials, however, said that Amit Shah’s vehicle was protected.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of breaking his 2014 poll promise, where he had stated that Andhra would get the help it deserves from the Centre, an angry TDP activist told the local media, “You have broken the trust and slit the throat of 5 crore people in Andhra showing Lord Venkateshwara as witness, Narendra Modi gave us assurance.”
Amit Shah, who was busy electioneering in Karnataka, arrived in Tirupati to pay visit along with his family. Following the darshan, several activists from TDP at Alipiri gate hurled stones at Shah's convoy.
Police have detained the TDP activists who hurled stones at the convoy.
Following the last day of campaigning in Karnataka on Thursday, Amit Shah arrived in Tirupati amidst a huge security set up.
Meanwhile, Andhra CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has also taken stock of the situation.
He reportedly warned his party cadre to not to resort to such extreme steps and urged his party leaders to not repeat such incidents.
TDP pulled out of the NDA in March citing 'injustice' to Andhra Pradesh over the Centre's failure to fulfill promises made during the state's bifurcation. Since then, the state has witnessed protests by several groups over Special Category Status. TDP MPs even moved a no-confidence motion in Parliament.