Actor turned politician K Chiranjeevi on Saturday came out in support of Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham and condemned the way that the Andhra government was handling the reservation issue.
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the Tuni violence, the Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member said, "No one supports the violence in Tuni. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced soon after the violence in Tuni that no one from East Godavari district was involved in the arson. He said a few people from Rayalaseema were behind the episode. The police have now arrested people from East Godavari district. How can Naidu justify the arrests?"
The Times of India reported:
He found fault with Naidu for giving a political colour to Padmanabham's struggle for Kapu reservation. Chiranjeevi also wanted the state government to implement BC sub plan, categorise SCs and provide reservations for Kapus.
The agitation by Kapus, seeking inclusion in the Backward Classes category, had turned violent at Tuni on January 31 when the protesters went on a rampage setting on fire a passenger train, and a police station, besides police and private vehicles.
The Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the train burning case.
Earlier this week, the CID arrested three persons who were allegedly related to the violence.
Following this, Padmanabham began an indefinite fast at his residence at Kirlampudi village in East Godavari district on Thursday but was arrested by CID sleuths in the evening.
After this, the CID held another six persons in connection with the case on Friday.
Padmanabham on Saturday continued to demand the release of all those arrested in connection with the violence at Tuni.